"If it could be scheduled, I want to visit South Korea ahead of the talks," Kawaguchi said in a television talk show.

North Korea had said the six-way talks, involving Russia, Japan, the United States, China and the two Koreas would take place in Beijing, but details and timings were still being discussed.

Japanese press reports said the talks might be held on August 26 and 27.

Kawaguchi's comment came amid a flurry of diplomacy to pave the way for the six-way talks, with diplomats and cabinet ministers of the six nations holding a series of talks aimed at finding a way out of the crisis.

In the multi-national talks, Kawaguchi said, Japan would raise issues of kidnapping of Japanese nationals by North Korean agents, despite North Korea's opposition against Tokyo's moves to bring up the topic.

"Obviously, we will raise the issue" at the multi-national talks, Kawaguchi said.

"At the same time, it is something that requires profound, detailed discussions between Japan and North Korea," she said, suggesting that bilateral talks were needed to solve the issue.

She added, however, it would be difficult to resume bilateral talks unless Pyongyang returns the family members of Japanese nationals who were kidnapped to North Korea.

Kawaguchi made the television appearance ahead of her meeting with Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing.

Kawaguchi would exchange views on the talks with Li on Monday in Tokyo.

Li would also meet with Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on Monday, followed by meetings with other top Japanese politicians, before leaving Tokyo for Seoul on Wednesday.

China, North Korea's closest ally, had served as the chief mediator in arranging the six-nation talks.

It arranged the first round of three-way talks in April involving the United States, Chinese and North Korean officials.

WAR.WIRE