The United States on Thursday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to set a date for the resumption of six-party talks designed to solve the nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula.

"North Korea (the DPRK) needs to commit to a date for returning to the six-party talks, without preconditions, and be ready to talk in a serious way about how to move forward," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

McClellan made the remarks after DPRK top leader Kim Jong Il said last week his country could return to the negotiation table as early as next month if it received appropriate respect from Washington.

The six-party talks have been stalled since last June as the DPRK accused the United States of adopting a hostile policy towards Pyongyang.

Source: Xinhua