SEOUL, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Officials said Sunday denuclearization talks involving South Korea, North Korea and the United States are unlikely before the end of the year.
However, diplomatic efforts among the countries to organize nuclear talks are under way, Yonhap news agency reported.
Since early 2011, the United States and South Korea have held two meetings with the North about the country moving toward giving up its nuclear program before six-party talks involving the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the U.S. resume. However, North Korea has called for the resumption of the six-party talks without preconditions.
"The U.S. and the North as well as the South and the North have been exchanging signals, but it is still insufficient," an official told reporters on condition of anonymity. "There is a diplomatic maxim that unless everything is agreed, nothing is agreed."
