SKorea envoy says test on China talks agenda

BEIJING, Oct 9 (Reuters) South Korea's chief envoy to the six-country talks on North Korea's nuclear programme said today the reported nuclear test by the North would be on the agenda in his talks with Chinese officials.

Chun Yung-woo made the comments on arrival in Beijing after North Korea said it had carried out an underground nuclear test.

Asked about the report, he told reporters in Korean: ''I don't know anything about that because this happened while I was in the air.

''Right now, the South Korean government is holding an emergency meeting and after the meeting we'll state our position.'' Referring to the test and talks in China, he said: ''We will include this new situation in discussions with our Chinese counterparts.'' He is due to meet China's envoy to the stalled six-party talks, Wu Dawei, during his visit.

North Korea has refused to return to the talks, angered over financial sanctions imposed by the United States.

South Korea, Japan, China, Russia and the United States are the other members of the six-party dialogue.

Reuters DKA VP1003