U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill says the six-way dialogue is not the only way to resolve North Korea's nuclear stalemate.

In an interview with CNN, the chief U-S negotiator to the six-way talks called the multilateral framework the best option. But he added other methods would be sought afterward, should the talks fail to resume.

On the U-N referral of the nuclear issue, Hill said discussions of post-six-way talk measures would give the wrong impression of the abandonment of the multi-nation dialogue, saying the situation has not reached that point.

In the meantime, U-S State Department Deputy Spokesman Adam Ereli told reporters Monday that getting North Korea back to the negotiating table is still "achievable."

Hill wrapped up his four-day Seoul visit and left for Beijing Tuesday. He will come back to Seoul on Thursday after a stop in Japan.