The six-nation talks with North Korea, stalled for more than a year, are expected to at an as yet unspecified date, probably in the Chinese capital.
The chief US envoy dealing with North Korea is in Beijing for talks with regional allies on a framework for renewed dialogue over the North's nuclear weapons programme.
North Korea pulled out of the talks last year after the US-imposed financial sanctions on its companies and senior officials.
On Tuesday Kim Kye Gwan, the top North Korean envoy to the talks, flew into Beijing to finalise procedures during what is likely to be a delicate diplomatic process.
In October, in defiance of international pressure, North Korea went ahead with its first nuclear weapon test saying it had effectively been forced into a corner by the US.
Days later however, it announced that it was prepared to revive the six-party talks on its nuclear programme.
There has been speculation that the apparent about face was the result of massive pressure from China, a key donor to North Korea and the closest thing it has to an ally.
On Monday Chun Yung-woo, the South Korean envoy to the meetings, told reporters that ensuring the right procedures for the talks was more important than determining when to restart negotiations. "We will mainly focus on the procedure of the talks as it is essential to accomplish substantial progress rather than talking just for the sake of talking," he said. Talks 'any time'
For his part Kim Kye Gwan, the North Korean envoy, said the timing of the next round of talks would depend on the United States.
"I said on October 31 that we can enter the talks at any time," he said shortly after his arrival in Beijing,
"I said that because we can do that from a dignified position as we have taken defensive measures through our nuclear test to counter sanctions and pressure against us."
Kim's arrival in the Chinese capital has raised speculation that he may hold an informal meeting with Christopher Hill, the chief US envoy to the talks.
On Monday the US State Department said a meeting between Kim and Hill was "an open possibility".
Hill himself has said he is optimistic about the outcome of the current dialogue.
Graphic from the  showing seismic activity at the time of the test

The envoys of the United States, Japan, South Korea, and North Korea have reached Beijing. They will hold a meeting to negotiate over the North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.

The US State Department has said that a meeting between Christopher Hill, US negotiator, and  DPRK's Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye Gwan was an “open possibility”.

The top North Korean envoy, , had indicated that the initiative for negotiations should be taken by the United States and that the DPRK was ready to negotiate at any time. He said that DPTK was in a “dignified position” as it had demonstrated through its nuclear test that it could defend itself against sanctions and other pressures. 

Any meetings between the envoys will be informal and, according to the Chun Yung-woo the South Korean envoy, will concentrate on preparing the ground for negotiations and will not address the issues directly. 

Christopher Hill said "The issue for us is to make sure we are extremely well-planned and ready for the six-party talks, which we do anticipate will get going at some point very soon,"

The negotiations are expected to discuss such matters as US economic sanctions against DRPK, the recent underground nuclear test in North Korea and the development of long range ballistic missiles by the DPRK.