North Korea calls for continued dialogue with US

North Korea has called for continued dialogue with the United States as efforts intensify toward resuming the six-party talks on the country's nuclear program.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pak Kil Yon addressed the UN General Assembly in New York on Tuesday.

Pak said the US is the main party responsible for and capable of removing the root cause of tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

He said the US should move toward full-fledged dialogue with North Korea based on a long-term perspective.

Pak's remark seems to indicate the North's eagerness to meet with the US. The 2 sides last held direct talks in July and are expected to meet again in October.
Pak also reiterated his country's call for unconditional resumption of the six-party talks.

The US, Japan and South Korea have said the talks cannot restart until the North takes concrete steps toward denuclearization. The steps include immediately halting its uranium enrichment program and accepting inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Top nuclear envoys from North and South Korea met in Beijing to discuss the issue last week.