U.S. special envoy on North Korea Stephen Bosworth says he wants talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-il and other officials.

Bosworth told the Washington Post that he is willing to maintain dialogue with Pyongyang, saying he will focus on a broad range of issues including bilateral negotiations with the communist country.

Bosworth said making a deal with Pyongyang is inevitable when it comes to the North's nuclear problem since strategic urgency is required and allies like South Korea and Japan are concerned.

Washington had wanted to include Pyongyang on Bosworth's itinerary that comprised visits to Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo early this month. But the North rejected the proposal.