Unification Minister Lee Jong-seok says an international forum opening Sunday in Tokyo is crucial to resuming the stalled six-party nuclear talks.

In a regular news briefing Thursday, he said the chief delegates of four of the six parties will likely hold meetings on the sidelines of the forum on cooperation in Northeast Asia.

Chun Young-woo of South Korea, Kim Kye-kwan of North Korea, Christopher Hill of the United States and Kenichiro Sasae of Japan will attend the forum.

Lee said he also hopes North Korea and the United States hold meetings this month to get the talks to resume.