The United States urged on Friday the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to return to the six-party talks as soon as possible and engage in constructive negotiations.

"We continue to urge the North Korean government to return to the table at the earliest possible time to engage in serious, constructive negotiations," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

McCormack said that no date had been set for the next round of six-party talks.

"We continue to encourage all the parties to get together and meet for the next round of six-party talks, like they said they would do at the end of the last round, at the earliest possible date," he said.

The DPRK has said that it would not return to the six-party talks unless the United States lifts the sanctions imposed on the country for the DPRK's alleged counterfeiting and money laundering activities.

Source: Xinhua