The first round of working group nuclear talks is underway in Beijing.

The two Koreas, the United States, China, Japan and Russia are taking part in the first full session during which they are expected to freely exchange their views on how to settle the North's nuclear impasse.

The participating countries are scheduled to hold another full session later in the day followed by an unofficial meeting of the chief delegates of the six nations.

Talks are going on without a preset closing date. The participants had earlier agreed to decide on the closing date of the discussions depending on the progress of the meeting.