The nation’s chief nuclear negotiator Kim Sook will meet his U.S. counterpart Christopher Hill in New York on Friday.

Kim and Hill will discuss setting up a verification plan for North Korea's nuclear dismantlement.

After the meeting, Kim will fly to Tokyo to meet his Japanese counterpart Akitaka Saiki on Tuesday next week.

Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Sung Kim’s planned visit to China is drawing much attention. Diplomatic circles say there's a good possibility he will meet with the head of the North American Affairs Bureau of the North Korean Foreign Ministry, Rhee Keun, in Beijing.