South Korea’s chief nuclear negotiator says North Korea appears to be closer to returning to the multilateral nuclear talks than it was last year.

Wi Sung-lac made the comment after meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei in Beijing on Wednesday.

Wi said, however, that North Korea has not put forth a new proposal on the possibilities for a resumption of the six-party denuclearization talks.

Wi added that China, as well as the other members of the six-way nuclear dialogue, are continuously working to bring the North back to the multilateral dialogue.