North Korea nuclear talks may be in January--Seoul

SEOUL, Dec 1 (Reuters) Stalled six-country talks on ending North Korea's nuclear weapons programme may not resume until January, South Korea's new foreign minister said today.

''North Korea may require more time for its in-depth analysis of the situation following the just-ended working-level contacts in Beijing,'' Song Min-soon told reporters, according to the Yonhap news agency.

The U S envoy to the six-way talks headed back to Washington on Thursday from Beijing where he had received a promise from North Korea that it would study ideas proposed in two days of discussions on Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

''We'll strive hard to resume the six-party talks in December, but they could be delayed to next month,'' Song said.

Urging North Korea to scrap its nuclear programmes and rejoin a non-proliferation treaty, U S Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said Pyongyang had tough decisions to make ahead of a resumption of talks, which some expected in mid-December.

Reclusive North Korea agreed to return to the negotiations -- which also involve South Korea, the United States, host China, Japan and Russia -- after its first nuclear test on October 9 triggered U N-backed sanctions.

Song, a former South Korean envoy to the six-way talks, is scheduled to travel with President Roh Moo-hyun next week on a trip to Southeast Asia and Oceania.

REUTERS PDM BS1521