China extends condolences following death of DPRK foreign minister

China has extended its condolences following the death of Paek Nam-sun, foreign minister of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao Thursday.

Chinese State Councilor Tang Jiaxuan and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing had already sent messages of condolence to the DPRK, according to Liu at a regular press conference.

He said Paek had worked hard on Sino-DPKR relations, and expressed his belief that his efforts would be sustained by the two sides.

Liu also said China would like to work with all relevant parties to push forward the six-party talks process in order to achieve the denuclearization of the Korean peninsular at an early date.

Paek, who died on Tuesday at the age of 78, was appointed foreign minister in 1998. He paid his last official visit to China in June 2006.

Source: Xinhua