North Korea has proposed activating the so-called "New York channel" if Washington wants Pyongyang to return to the stalled six-nation nuclear discussions.

In the Internet edition of the Chosun Shinbo, a Tokyo-based pro-North Korean paper, the North said Tuesday that if the United States wants the resumption of the multilateral nuclear talks, it should either have its president or secretary of state publicly declare a reversal of its policy toward the North.

The communist state added that another way to reopen the stalled talks would be for Washington to utilize a direct line between the two countries in New York to express its willingness to co-exist with Pyongyang.

The New York channel was used as a means for direct dialogue between the U.S. and North Korea during the Bill Clinton administration.

Through foreign ministry statements and media outlets, Pyongyang has been implying it will cut off such contacts in New York as a protest, saying Washington does not treat Pyongyang as a dialogue partner.