China will send a ministerial-level envoy to Pyongyang to persuade North Korea to return to the six-way nuclear talks.

According to diplomatic sources in Beijing, China is expected to tap an official of the Communist Party's international department as the envoy, rather than a professional diplomat.

Pyongyang fired a long-range missile on April fifth, after which the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution condemning the North for the launch.

Since then, Pyongyang has boycotted the six-party talks and all agreements made under the framework, including those involving the dismantling of facilities at its main nuclear complex in Yongbyon.

It’s been five months since the six members of the nuclear talks have met.