KEY POINTS:
Winston Peters is expected to meet US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in South Korea today as she tries to revive efforts to curb North Korea's nuclear programme.
The Foreign Minister is in Seoul for the inauguration today of South Korea's new President, Lee Myung-bak, and is expected also to have talks about North Korea, which he visited last November.
It is believed he was encouraged by the US to meet Dr Rice, who is pushing for progress in the Party of Six talks toward persuading North Korea to end its nuclear programmes.
Dr Rice is said to be keen to see some resolution before the United States presidential election this year.
Mr Peters' presence will also bolster New Zealand's relationship with South Korea before initial discussions about a free trade agreement.
Yesterday, Mr Peters could not confirm that he would be meeting Dr Rice, saying the inauguration was "a moveable feast".
He expected North Korea to be "part and parcel" of his discussions in South Korea.
Mr Peters visited the United States to brief Dr Rice after his visit to North Korea.
He has been in regular contact with Dr Rice because of New Zealand's participation in nuclear talks as a "five-plus-five" nation, invited by Beijing and Washington to contribute to the Party of Six talks about North Korea's nuclear programme.
