A high-ranking diplomat says North Korea's reply after its recent talks with the United States is crucial in resolving the nuclear issue.

In a Monday interview with KBS radio, Kim Sook, director general of the Foreign Ministry's North American affairs bureau, said a reply is due given ten days have passed since Pyongyang and Washington held talks.

A North Korean foreign ministry official earlier said his government will keep an eye on the United States and send an official reply through the New York channel.

Kim urged the North to give an earnest reply rather than concern itself with US moves.