The second round of the six-party talks on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue ended Saturday with the six sides agreeing on setting up a working group and on the timing of the next round.

The talks, which began Wednesday among the United States, China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the Republic of Korea, Russia and Japan, focused on the goal of realizing a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

A chairman's statement released at the end of the talks says the six parties "expressed their commitment to a nuclear-weapon- free Korean Peninsula, and to resolving the nuclear issue peacefully through dialogue in a spirit of mutual respect and consultations on an equal basis."

The six sides discussed "substantive issues," and enhanced the understanding of each other's positions. They agreed to take coordinated steps to address the nuclear issue and related concerns, says the statement.

Delegations of the six countries are expected to meet again before the end of June for the third round of talks. A working group will be set up in preparation for that.

Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing said at the closing ceremony of the second round that the consensus on setting up a working group and the timing of the next round "is of great importance" in pushing forward the process of dialogue.

"A big step forward" aimed at realizing the final goal has been made, he said, adding that the talks were "profound and constructive" and the proposals put forward at the talks were " valuable."

"Spring is a season full of hope," Li said at the ceremony. " There is a thorny and long way to go, but time is on our side and time is on the side of peace."

He urged relevant sides to take a "constructive attitude" and gradually narrow the differences and expand common ground.

Severe disagreements still exist in spite of the progress already made, participants of the talks say.

The DPRK proposed to freeze its nuclear program and hoped to have active response, but the United States failed to respond appropriately, said Alexander Losiukov, Russian deputy foreign minister who headed the Russian delegation to the talks.

A senior official of the United States confirmed the United States and the DPRK delegations met twice on the sidelines of the six-party talks. Differences and questioning were still "sharp," said the US official on condition of anonymity.

His view was echoed by Chinese Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, who said "The Korean nuclear issue is woven by many historical and current contradictions. Severe differences still exist."

"Nobody should hope the differences would be resolved through one to two round of talks," Li said, urging all sides to be patient and stick to peaceful talks and dialogue whatever the difficulties might be.

Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a press conference Saturday afternoon that China will consult with the other five sides through diplomatic channels to decide who will sit in the proposed working group and its operating mechanism.

Some Chinese observers say the result of the second round can be applauded.

"The six parties came together, held serious talks, and have reached important consensus," said Yang Chengxu, a Chinese expert on arms control and a foreign policy observer. "I think we should congratulate it though severe differences remain."

Piao Jianyi, a Chinese expert on Korean studies, said Foreign Minister Li's mention of spring indicated that it is possible new progress can be expected later this year.

The first round of talks were held in the Chinese capital last August.