Seoul is downplaying recent remarks by North Korean officials that the current environment is not conducive to an early resumption of six-way nuclear talks.

A South Korean government representative said the remarks were unofficial ones, stressing that they were made by Northern delegates involved in the wholly separate issue of abductee talks with Japan.

The official added that the North's remarks were not surprising, hinting that Seoul would continue to exert diplomatic efforts to swiftly reopen the nuclear discussions.

Meanwhile, China, the host of the six-way nuclear talks, says Pyongyang has promised to participate in the next round of nuclear discussions and that the North is closely watching developments in Washington in the wake of George W. Bush's re-election.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman said that North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Young-il had promised Pyongyang's participation in a fourth round of nuclear talks when he visited Beijing this week.