The government has reportedly asked the United States to defer deciding on the imposition of additional sanctions on North Korea.

According to a senior diplomatic source in Washington Tuesday, Seoul made the request through various contacts with the White House as well as with the State and Treasury departments, citing concern that more U.S. sanctions could further hamper efforts to reopen the six-way nuclear talks.

The source said there is a 50-50 chance that Washington will postpone the decision on additional sanctions.

The source added that during talks with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson last week in Washington, President Roh Moo-hyun had urged the department to swiftly conclude its investigation into the Macao-based Banco Delta Asia.

Roh said the investigations have gone on for too long and that the delay was having a negative effect on efforts to resume the six-nation talks.

Banco Delta Asia has been under investigation for suspicion of helping Pyongyang's counterfeiting of U.S. currency and money laundering.