SEOUL - The top nuclear negotiator of the Republic of Korea (ROK)?is set to leave for China Thursday for talks over the aftermath of the death of Kim Jong-il, the top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

Lim Sung-nam, Seoul's top envoy to stalled talks aimed at ending the DPRK's nuclear program, is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart Wu Dawei to discuss situation on the state of affairs on the Korean peninsula following Kim's sudden death, the foreign ministry here said in a statement.

The ministry said the two envoys are also expected to discuss coordinating joint strategies to resume the stalled six-party nuclear talks, last held in 2008. The talks also involve the United States, Japan and Russia.

Kim's reported death on December 17 came amid renewed efforts to revive the moribund negotiations.

Pyongyang and Washington recently held two rounds of rare denuclearization talks, with a third round expected in the near future following their separate talks on food aid.