SEOUL, Jan. 31 (Yonhap) -- South Korea's top nuclear envoy will travel to Russia next week to discuss ways to resume the six-party talks on ending North Korea's nuclear weapons program, an official said Tuesday.

   Lim Sung-nam plans to meet Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov, Moscow's new chief delegate to the six-nation talks, the foreign ministry official said on the condition of anonymity.

   "Lim plans to visit Russia to meet Deputy Foreign Minister Morgulov," the official said, adding that the two sides were coordinating specific schedules for the visit.

   Last week, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov expressed hope that the six-party talks could resume in the first half of this year.

   Since the demise of Kim Jong-il, who died last month, his youngest son and chosen heir, Kim Jong-un, has taken the helm of North Korea and the power transfer seems to be running smoothly.

   The death of Kim has put a brake on renewed diplomacy to reopen the six-party talks, which involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the U.S.

   The talks have been dormant since late 2008, but efforts to get North Korea back to the negotiating table gained some momentum last year.

   Kurt Campbell, Washington's top diplomat on Asia, is scheduled to arrive in Seoul on Tuesday. Lim and Campbell will hold talks on Wednesday, ministry officials said.

   kdh@yna.co.kr
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