Washington has expressed anticipation for the early resumption of the six-nation talks on resolving North Korea's nuclear issue.

U.S. State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said in a news briefing Monday that the U.S. remains committed to the six-way nuclear discussions even though it believes it's more than likely that six-party talks won't happen this month.

Ereli said Washington hopes that Pyongyang will realize that the sooner it returns to the six-party format and begins discussions, the sooner Washington will be able to help the impoverished communist state deal with its serious economic problems.

He added that Washington is continuing to work with the other parties in the six-party talks to move the process forward.