Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan has again called on North Korea to swiftly declare all of its nuclear programs and materials.

Speaking to reporters in Washington Thursday, the foreign minister said the six-way nuclear talks need to reopen next month at the latest. He added that this would allow them to continue their momentum even after a new government is launched in the United States.

Mr. Yu said the dismantlement of the North’s nuclear program and facilities has hit a wall, as Pyongyang has delayed its nuclear declaration for three months now.

Citing two previous six-party accords, he said the North should have declared its nukes by the end of last year and the third phase of nuclear dismantlement should be under way by now.

Noting also that the U.S. presidential election will be held in November, Yu said it will become difficult for Washington to make major decisions after August.

Yu’s statement suggests that August could become the deadline for a breakthrough on the North Korean nuclear standoff.