<p>The comments from South Korea's Lee Myung-Bak appeared to reflect a shift in position -- Lee has been tough with Pyongyang since the deadly shelling last month of a South Korean border island and cool on the idea of new negotiations.<br /><br />China -- the host of the on-off talks which also include the two Koreas, Japan, Russia and the United States -- has meanwhile constantly pushed for the forum to reconvene since Pyongyang stormed out in April 2009.<br /><br />"We believe the six-party talks are the effective approach to realise denuclearisation on the peninsula and safeguard regional peace and stability," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.<br /><br />"We always believe that the South and the North should address issues and gradually improve relations through dialogue and consultation to realise reconciliation and cooperation," she said.<br /><br />"Dialogue and negotiation is the only right approach to resolve peninsula-related issues and achieve enduring peace on the peninsula. We sincerely hope and support the two sides conduct good contact and dialogue."<br /><br />On Wednesday, Lee said, "(We) have no choice but to resolve the problem of dismantling North Korea's nuclear programme diplomatically through the six-party talks."</p>
<p>The comments from South Korea's Lee Myung-Bak appeared to reflect a shift in position -- Lee has been tough with Pyongyang since the deadly shelling last month of a South Korean border island and cool on the idea of new negotiations.<br /><br />China -- the host of the on-off talks which also include the two Koreas, Japan, Russia and the United States -- has meanwhile constantly pushed for the forum to reconvene since Pyongyang stormed out in April 2009.<br /><br />"We believe the six-party talks are the effective approach to realise denuclearisation on the peninsula and safeguard regional peace and stability," foreign ministry spokeswoman Jiang Yu told reporters.<br /><br />"We always believe that the South and the North should address issues and gradually improve relations through dialogue and consultation to realise reconciliation and cooperation," she said.<br /><br />"Dialogue and negotiation is the only right approach to resolve peninsula-related issues and achieve enduring peace on the peninsula. We sincerely hope and support the two sides conduct good contact and dialogue."<br /><br />On Wednesday, Lee said, "(We) have no choice but to resolve the problem of dismantling North Korea's nuclear programme diplomatically through the six-party talks."</p>