Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso says chief U.S. nuclear envoy Christopher Hill wants to visit North Korea soon.

Attending an international conference on rebuilding Iraq, Aso said Sunday that Hill announced his intention this week during a security meeting between the U.S. and Japan in Washington.

Aso said the purpose of Hill's trip is not the resolution of North Korean funds with a Macau bank, hinting the trip will likely come after the money transfer is settled.

The Japanese diplomat also said Washington believes the six-party nuclear talks could resume much earlier than expected.