MOSCOW, Aug. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- Russia, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and South Korea on Wednesday began here consultations in an effort to make preparations for the forthcoming six-party nuclear talks.

　　Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov is now meeting with his DPRK counterpart Kun Sun Un. At the same time, Russia's First Deputy Foreign Minister Valery Loshchinin, who is performing the foreign minister's duties in Igor Ivanov's absence,is holding consultations with south Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Jae Sup, the Interfax news agency reported.

　　The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Losyukov and Kun Sun Un will exchange views and compare their positions during the meetingahead of the six-party talks on the nuclear issue to be held soon in Beijing.

　　Later today, Kim Jae Sup will also hold talks with Losyukov, who is in charge of the international relations and contacts with Asian countries.

　　"The agenda of the Pyongyang and Seoul envoys' visits to Moscowdoes not envision any bilateral or trilateral meetings with the participation of Russian diplomats," Interfax quoted a Foreign Ministry source as reporting.

　　The DPRK announced earlier this month that the six-party talks would be held soon in Beijing. The participants would include the DPRK, the United States, China, Russia, South Korea and Japan. Enditem