US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill listens to speech during new round of six-party talks in Beijing, 10 Jul 2008

Disarmament talks with North Korea have resumed in Beijing after a nine month pause due to the isolated regime's refusal to provide a complete list of its nuclear facilities.

A South Korean official says Thursday's round of talks began with a brief photo session.  The United States, South Korea, China, Japan and Russia agreed to resume the discussions after Pyongyang handed over the list in late June. 

U.S. nuclear envoy Christopher Hill says stress will be placed on verification both of the declaration list and the dismantling of nuclear facilities.

The five nations have promised North Korea crucial aid in return for cooperation. Pyongyang recently said it might halt the dismantling process if aid is not delivered.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.