A nuclear nonproliferation conference has kicked off in Moscow amid expectations of encounters between officials from South Korea, North Korea and the U.S. who are attending.<br />The envoys from Pyeongyang and Washington did meet for about five minutes during a reception... but there are expectations for more talks.... which could possibly reignite the momentum for denuclearization negotiations.<br />Kim Min-ji reports.<br />With senior officials from South Korea, North Korea and the U.S. under one roof for the 2019 Moscow Nonproliferation Conference.... eyes are on a possible three-way meeting or even bilateral sitdowns.<br />The three-day forum,... hosted by Russia's Center for Energy and Security Studies every two to three years,... brings together some 250 participants from more than 40 countries and international organizations.<br />On the guestlist from South Korea is top nuclear envoy Lee Do-hoon,... from North Korea is Jo Chol-su,.. director-general of the North American department at the North's foreign ministry.<br />And from the U.S.,... Special Envoy for North Korea, Mark Lambert.<br />In particular, on Friday evening, local time,... a session will be held on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.<br />There, Jo will discuss the matter with Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister and Sweden's special envoy to the Korean Peninsula.<br />The North Korean official is also expected to deliver Pyeongyang's stance regarding denuclearization.<br />With the envoys from Seoul and Washington invited to the session as well,... there are expectations that they might have some sort of diplomatic contact with the North Korean envoy.<br />Given that denuclearization negotiations have been at standstill since the working-level talks in Sweden,... and inter-Korean relations have also soured... a potential encounter could spark fresh momentum.<br />During a welcoming reception Thursday evening,... Jo and Lambert met briefly.<br />They chatted for around five minutes,... but it's not known what they talked about.<br />The two Korean envoys didn't come into contact with each other.<br />Upon arriving in Moscow,... Seoul's top nuclear envoy said that although there might be an opportunity to meet naturally... he hasn't made any arrangements.<br />Since arriving,... Lee has met with Russian officials... to discuss cooperation in the ongoing efforts to denuclearize North Korea and foster lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.<br />Kim Min-ji, Arirang News.<br />
