The United States says it is willing to open direct talks with North Korea in a bid to make Pyongyang rejoin the six-nation talks about its disputed nuclear programme.

The US says the offer does not imply a change of policy as the nuclear negotiations will be conducted within the framework of the six-nation talks. North Korea has previously insisted on direct talks with Washington and had invited US special envoy Stephen Bosworth to visit Pyongyang. It is not yet clear when such talks would take place or whether Mr Bosworth has accepted the invitation.

In 2005 North Korea promised to halt its nuclear programme in exchange for foreign aid. The talks between the two Koreas, the US, China, Japan and Russia came to a halt last year. Since then Pyongyang has conducted two nuclear tests, provoking serious concern in the West.

Photo: EPA/ANP