North Korean delegation leaves for talks over nuclear programme

A North Korean delegation has left for talks about the country's nuclear programme with the US, in what would be the first significant contact between the two countries following the death of leader Kim Jong-Il.

The team, headed by first vice-foreign minister Kim Kye-Gwan, departed today to attend "high-level talks" with the US, according to state news agency which released a one-sentence report.

Kim would meet Glyn Davies, US policy coordinator on North Korea, in Beijing on Thursday. The discussions are expected to provide clues about policy directions under Pyongyang's new leaders.

The bilateral meeting would come as the third since last July after a meeting set for 17 December was shelved following Kim Jong-Il's death on the same day.

Though Kim's youngest son Jong-Un has taken over, the regime has warned there would be no major policy changes.

The US and North Korea would discuss the possibility of resumption of six-nation talks on the North's nuclear disarmament, last held in December 2008.