Vice Unification Minister Rhee Bong-jo is calling for more active U-S efforts to revive the stalled six-way talks on North Korea's nuclear program.

Rhee, now on a visit to Washington, said Thursday that he hopes that the North will eventually return to the talks, though it is hard to predict a specific schedule.

He said North Korean counterpart Kang Seok-ju recently delivered in Beijing the intent and position of the North's leader Kim Jong-il to Chinese leaders.

Rhee added that despite some pessimism over the six-way talks, the related parties must press on to resolve the North's nuclear issue.