Deputy State Department spokesman Adam Ereli did not directly address North Korea's complaints over Washington's move to brand it part of an "axis of evil" and an "outpost of tyranny."

"Our view is that the best course of action for everybody is to resume six-party talks as soon as possible," Ereli said. "If they have questions or issues that they want to address, then that's the place to do it."

The official Korean Central News Agency said Pyongyang was ready to return to the table if the United States "takes a trustworthy sincere attitude and moves to provide conditions and justification" for resuming discussions.

But Ereli reiterated the US position that the talks, also involving China, South Korea, Japan and Russia, "should resume without delay and without preconditions."

The negotiations were broken off in September with Pyongyang complaining about a "hostile" US attitude.

But Ereli said Wednesday, "We have also made it clear, repeatedly, that the United States has no intention of attacking or invading North Korea."

"So from our point of view, there is no good reason why all states, including North Korea, shouldn't return to the six-party talks as soon as possible."

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