South Korea is hoping that the six-party talks would produce an agreement to set up a framework to deal with technical details involved in resolving the standoff over North Korea's nuclear programs.

A senior Seoul official said that three separate working groups could be formed at the upcoming six-way nuclear talks if participants agree to set up the framework.

The official said that one of the working groups could deal with the issue of providing energy and economic aid to the North in return for freezing its nuclear arms programs.

The unidentified official made his comments on Tuesday, one day before the opening of the international nuclear talks.

The official also made it clear that the formation of working groups is possible if the North's freeze covers ALL of its nuclear facilities and material, and is followed "in a short period of time" by steps toward complete nuclear dismantlement and verification of this.