6-party talks start in Beijing

Updated: 2005-07-26 09:41

The representatives from the six countries involved in six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program hold hands as the meeting officially begins in Beijing July 26, 2005. Six-party talks aimed at ending a three-year crisis over North Korea's nuclear ambitions resume on an optimistic note on Tuesday but few expect a breakthrough. (L-R) U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Christopher Hill, North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhao Xing, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Alexeyev, South Korea's Deputy Foreign Minister Song Min-soon and Director-general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry's Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau Kenichiro Sasae. [Reuters]