Foreign Minister Song Min-soon has reiterated the need for the six-party nuclear talks to resume as soon as possible.

He said the talks should resume by mid-February during a meeting Monday in Seoul with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

In response, the Chinese official pledged efforts for the talks' early resumption.

Song said he expected the six countries to narrow their differences through bilateral contacts once the talks restart.

After his meeting with the Chinese special envoy, Song left for Spain to attend an international conference.