NKorea nuclear talks aim for a deal, Seoul says

SEOUL, Jan 31 (Reuters) South Korea today cautioned against hopes for a breakthrough in six-way talks next week with North Korea but said they would aim for a deal committing Pyongyang to real steps to end its atomic weapons programme.

South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon said the process should get a lift from the resumption this week of talks in Beijing between US and North Korean officials on Washington's crackdown on the North's suspected illicit financial activities.

''We hope to adopt a joint document,'' Song told reporters about next week's six-way talks, also in Beijing, where he said the two Koreas, the United States, China, Russia and Japan will try to agree on steps the North would take in giving up its nuclear programme.

''But the substance of the document is such that it's a ridge we have not set foot on. So, despite the strong will of the countries to get there, whether we actually can will depend on a lot of consultations and time.'' Song said US-North Korean talks about Pyongyang's funds frozen at a Macau-based Banco Delta Asia (BDA) were key to the success of the six-party talks.

''The BDA issue has had a negative impact on the six-way talks, so it's our position that that element will be resolved,'' he said.

US officials have held out little hope of a quick resolution to the financial negotiations.

At the last meeting of the six countries, North Korea refused to discuss ending its weapons programme in return for aid and security guarantees unless its funds at the Macau bank were released.

REUTERS SY MIR RAI0943