The reclusive communist state agreed to return to the talks table after a long pause during which it carried out its first nuclear test, but insisted the resumed negotiations would focus on U.S. financial sanctions.
The talks, involving North and South Korea, Russia, Japan, China and the U.S., were initially launched in 2003 after Pyongyang withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
At the September 2005 round of talks, Pyongyang agreed to abandon its nuclear program in exchange for aid and security guarantees, but later boycotted further meetings, in protest against Washington's sanctions, imposed on Pyongyang for its alleged involvement in counterfeiting and other illegal activities.
The U.S. has accused North Korea of printing fake dollars and laundering money through foreign banks, and last year ordered a Macao-based bank to freeze North Korean accounts worth $24 million.
A source close to the talks said the issue of unfreezing Pyongyang's bank accounts is likely to be discussed in Beijing Tuesday, after the arrival of North Korea's financial delegation, led by the country's Central Bank chief.
Following North Korea's October 9 announcement that it had conducted its first nuclear bomb test, the UN Security Council passed a special resolution October 14 blocking all deliveries of military equipment and supplies to the country.
