South Korean Ambassador to Washington Hong Suk-hyun held talks with North Korea's envoy to the U.N., Park Gil-yeon, in New York Thursday over Pyongyang's return to the six-way nuclear dialogue.

Hong said they discussed the recent meeting between Seoul's unification minister and North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the June 15th inter-Korean celebrations and the current mood in Washington. He added that he had urged Park to help realize Pyongyang's prompt return to the nuclear talks.

Park reportedly reiterated Kim Jong-il's earlier comments that his country had never rejected the six-nation dialogue. Citing Washington's "outpost of tyranny" remarks, Park said that North Korea wants one thing - respect from the U.S. - and stressed that dialogue partners should respect each other.

But Park did not specify a date for the North's return to the six-way talks during the Thursday meeting.