US says DPRK returning to talks more important

The United States reacted cautiously on Friday to the reports that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would return to the six-party talks as early as next month.

"What we're looking for -- the real issue for us is getting back to the talks, but more than that, engaging seriously and substantively on our proposal and on discussions to end the nuclear -- North Korea's nuclear program and address the threat that faces the Korean peninsula," State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said at a briefing.

"So reports aside, the bottom line we're looking for, and I think that (what) is important, is actually getting back to the talks and engaging substantively," he said.

South Korean Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said on Friday that the DPRK is willing to return to the six-party nucleartalks in July, if the United States recognizes and respects Pyongyang.

Chung made this remarks in a televised press conference on Friday evening, hours after his returning from a four-day Pyongyang visit where he met with the DPRK's top leader Kim Jong Il.

Source: Xinhua