North Korea nuclear talks to resume

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A lead negotiator says he doesn't expect much to come from renewed six-party talks aimed at further dismantling North Korea's nuclear programs.

"I am not optimistic at all," said Kim Sook, who heads up the South Korean delegation.

Sook spoke briefly with reporters after meeting with U.S. envoy Christopher Hill in Seoul Saturday for a debriefing on Hill's discussions in Singapore with North Korean counterparts, South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported Sunday.

"As far as I know, there was no explicit outcome or new compromise at

the Singapore meeting," Kim said.

Talks to begin Monday in Beijing are to focus on documenting ways to verify North Korea is taking apart its nuclear facilities, Yonhap reported, noting North Korea has balked at having samples taken from its sites for testing by international nuclear authorities.

Russia, Japan and China also are involved in the six-party talks, which have been on hiatus since June.