MOSCOW. Dec 17 (Interfax) - A South Korean diplomatic source said Seoul expected Russia to "continue its constructive efforts" in seeking a solution to the North Korean nuclear activities problem.
"The resumption of six-party negotiations on this issue would be an important part of general efforts to solve the … problem," the source told Interfax in reference to stalled talks in which South Korea, the United States, Japan, China and Russia have been trying to persuade North Korea to ditch its military nuclear program.
"Russia undoubtedly has influence over Pyongyang, and we expect that it will continue its constructive efforts," the source said.
The source credited Russia with a serious role in a recent nuclear deal between the international community and Iran and a successfully policy on the conflict in Syria, and said South Korea expected Moscow to become instrumental in resuming six-nation talks and in dealing with "North Korea-related problems in general."
It was reported earlier that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov and the Chinese government's envoy dealing with problems of the Korean Peninsula Wu Dawei held consultations in Moscow on Monday, says a report posted on the ministry's website.
"The sides exchanged opinions about ways to intensify joint efforts towards the soonest resumption of six-nation negotiations, which they defined as the optimal format for settling the nuclear problem of the Korean Peninsula," the ministry said.