Chinese envoy in Seoul to discuss N.Korea

SEOUL, March 2 (UPI) -- A Chinese envoy met South Korean officials Wednesday as the two nations are gearing up efforts to get North Korea back to negotiations on its nuclear drive.

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wu Dawei said his visit was aimed at discussing "fresh changes" in North Korea's nuclear standoff.

"As there are fresh changes coming out, (Foreign) Minister Li (Zhaoxing) sent me to South Korea to discuss the changes with South Korean officials," Wu said in a meeting with Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon. Wu did not say what he meant by fresh changes.

During his three-day stay, Wu will also meet South Korea's chief nuclear negotiator Song Min-soon. He may also meet U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Christopher Hill, who has recently been named to head Washington's team to the six-party talks.

Wu's visit to Seoul was part of a flurry of diplomacy aimed at pressing North Korea back to the dialogue table.

Song will fly to Moscow next week to discuss the nuclear dispute, Ban said. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is also scheduled to visit Seoul late this month, he said.