A former U.S. secretary of state says a multilateral dialogue framework is the best way to resolve the North Korean nuclear problem.

Henry Kissinger told Fox News that the North's nuclear ambition is not merely an issue between the U.S. and the communist country, but an issue between the North and the whole world.

He suggested that a deadline for denuclearization be introduced, should the long-stalled six-way nuclear talks resume.

Kissinger said concerned nations must demand that the North promise to scrap its nuclear program as a precondition to a resumption of the talks.

He predicted that the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, followed by the transfer of power to Kim’s third son Jong-un, could result in a power struggle that ends up altering the North’s current political system.