US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill has hinted at the possibility of the United States having bilateral talks with North Korea if it returns to the six-way talks.

Before leaving for Kuala Lumpur to attend a series of ASEAN meetings, Hill told reporters in Washington Friday that the US wants five countries besides North Korea to hold meetings in the Malaysian capital city.

He said that his government certainly would like a six party process but he noted that the other five countries can meet to discuss what to do about the recent missile launches by North Korea if the North is not willing to take part.