Paek is to meet with Li one-on-one tomorrow, according to an ROK official. He was also expected to meet one-on-one with Ban, his ROK counterpart.

Ban said a five-party meeting without Pyongyang is unlikely because some participants think that it may give a "perception of isolating the DPRK."

He said Li also expressed reservations about holding a meeting without the DPRK.

"We cherish the Six-Party Talks, their channel and framework," Li said after meeting his ASEAN counterparts. "Conditions are ripe for the resumption of the Six-Party Talks.

Asked if five-party talks were an option if the DPRK did not want to take part, Li said: "All my colleagues in the meeting room now are supportive of the resumption of Six-Party Talks. None of them is supportive of your idea."