South Korean and U.S. negotiators have concluded their final round of formal talks aimed at a free trade deal. Although they say a deal is close, some of the most sensitive issues remain to be worked out in informal meetings, which may require the intervention of higher-level officials on both sides. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Seoul.

South Korean Foreign Minister Song Min-soon was in Moscow on Tuesday for talks he suggested would focus on efforts to ensure North Korea keeps a pledge to start dismantling its nuclear weapons program.

South Korea says it plans to resume limited food aid to North Korea following four days of talks in Seoul.

North and South Korea are talking to each other again, after Pyongyang's missile and nuclear tests sparked a seven-month freeze in dialogue. At ministerial talks in Pyongyang, North Korea has suggested a resumption of "humanitarian projects" - which experts assume is a request for the South to restart shipments of food and fertilizer.

South Korea's top official on policy relating to North Korea has arrived in Pyongyang to resume senior-level talks, which had been frozen for seven months. This week's meetings are expected to focus on restarting joint projects put on hold after North Korea's missile and nuclear tests.

The North Korean nuclear weapons deal reached this week in Beijing has provided momentum for the North and South Korea to resume high-level contacts. The two Koreas now plan a high-level exchange in the North Korean capital within weeks.

The politician who is, for now, way out in front in the race to become South Korea's next president says it is time for a change in policy toward North Korea. Former Mayor Lee Myung-bak says Seoul must demand real reform from the North, while patching up the alliance with the United States. Lee's comments coincide with a new and severe blow to the party of South Korea's current president.

South Korea's foreign minister offered a note of caution ahead of six-nation talks to freeze North Korea's nuclear program, saying Wednesday there was a long way to go before a final agreement will be reached.

South Korea's foreign minister says North Korea is showing flexibility on proposals for getting rid of its nuclear weapons. Though no date has been set for the next session of multinational nuclear talks with the North, the discussions are expected to resume within weeks. VOA's Kurt Achin has more from Seoul.

Nuclear envoys from North and South Korea have met in Beijing as part of attempts to resume six-party talks on Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program.