US secretary state Condoleezza Rice has downplayed the significance of today's meeting with her North Korean counterpart on the country's nuclear pledge.

Ms Rice is set to push Pak Ui-chun to reaffirm Pyongyang's commitment to a six-nation disarmament deal.

But she told reporters the meeting fell into the "consultation category".

She has already met with China's foreign minister Yang Jiechi over North Korea's promise to abandon its atomic weapons programme.

Washington is seeking concrete proof, including independent inspections and soil tests, of Pyongyang's commitment.

As well as China, South Korea, Japan and Russia will also attend today's meeting.
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