Unification Minister Chung Dong-young and U-S Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill on Friday held extensive talks on North Korea's nuclear program.

Chung said diplomatic efforts for a peaceful solution are not yet exhausted, urging continued efforts from parties to the six-way talks for a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

In response, Hill said he will do his best to resume the dialogue and peacefully defuse the standoff.

Hill also asked about the recent meeting in Jakarta between Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan and North Korea's number two leader Kim Yong-nam.

Lee and Kim agreed on the need to resume inter-Korean dialogue.