The U.S. State Department said Friday the North Korean nuclear issue is an urgent priority for the U.S. and Washington has been in close contact with its partners and allies.

Department spokesman Ned Price told a briefing that the administration's lack of engagement with North Korea should not be seen as an indication that the challenge posed by its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs is not a priority.

He said it is, in fact, very much an urgent priority. 

Price said that across every challenge, the U.S. seeks to bring along its allies and partners as force multipliers and that especially in the context of North Korea, a coordinated approach can help address the challenge from a position of strength.

Refraining from giving a timeline on the next step in the process, Price stressed that coordination is ongoing and very active.

He said the U.S. continues to be committed to North Korea's denuclearization with a strategic focus on reducing threats including against allies and improving the lives of both South and North Korean people.