Li, who flew in from Tokyo, is scheduled to meet his South Korean counterpart Yoon Young-Kwan later Wednesday with the agenda likely to be dominated by the nuclear issue, officials said.

South Korea and China are preparing for six-nation talks on the 10-month-old nuclear crisis which would also include North Korea, Japan, the United States and Russia. The talks are expected to run for three days from August 27.

Li also broached the nuclear standoff between North Korea and the United States during his visit to Japan.

The South Korean and Chinese foreign ministers will also discuss measures to enhance bilateral ties after their presidents met in Beijing last month, officials said. Li is to meet President Roh Moo-hyun on Thursday.

The Chinese foreign minister also plans to tour major South Korean industrial facilities and visit the Chinese consulate general in the southern city of Busan before his departure on Friday.

WAR.WIRE