The United States said on Wednesday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should return to the six-party talks without preconditions and engage in serious negotiations.

"There are five other parties ready to come back without precondition and at an early date. We're one of them, the Japanese, the South Koreans, the Chinese and the Russians. We're all ready to go back," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

"It's only the North Koreans that are not at this point apparently prepared to return to the talks. We continue to encourage them to do so and to return to the talks without preconditions, be ready to engage in serious negotiations," he said.

The United States imposed sanctions on the DPRK last year after it accused the country of engaging in counterfeiting and moneylaundering activities. The DPRK has said it will not return to the six-party talks unless the United States lifts the sanctions.

Source: Xinhua