SEOUL -- Visiting Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao began his meeting with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun Tuesday afternoon in Seoul.

The two leaders are expected to focus their talks on a peaceful settlement of the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula, the current situation in northeast Asia, regional cooperation and international issues of common concern.

Wen held a meeting with his South Korean counterpart Han Duck-soo earlier and is scheduled to meet congress leaders during his visit to South Korea, the first visit by a Chinese premier in seven years.

After his stay in South Korea, Wen will travel to Japan Wednesday on what he described as an "ice-melting journey," after his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe's "ice-breaking journey" to China last October.