The U.S. special envoy for North Korea will arrive in South Korea on Sunday ahead of a year-end deadline set by Pyongyang for Washington to soften its approach to stalled denuclearization talks, Seoul and Washington said on Friday.

Stephen Biegun will be in Seoul for a three-day stay and consult with his counterpart Lee Do-hoon and other officials, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

"The two sides will exchange extensive views on the recent situation on the Korean Peninsula and discuss ways to bring substantial progress on achieving a complete denuclearization and enduring peace," the ministry said in a statement.