U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Thursday the United States would exercise patience as it seeks a diplomatic solution to the North Korean nuclear weapons standoff.

Powell added that U.S. President George W. Bush believes there can be a diplomatic solution to the impasse with Pyongyang and that the U.S. would be patient in dealing with the issue.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with visiting South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon, Powell said Thursday that both he and Ban are greatly satisfied with the outcome of the second round of six-way nuclear talks that ended in Beijing last week.

He denied that a crisis situation is developing, noting that the United States remains committed to a diplomatic solution with North Korea and has informed Pyongyang officials of that fact.