The U.S. says South Korea’s drawing up of a comprehensive aid package for North Korea is indicative of a new reality.

In a daily press briefing, U.S. State Department spokesman Phillip Crowley said the ball is now in North Korea’s court. He urged the North to return to the nuclear negotiations, but added that the U.S. is not planning to offer any rewards for doing so.

His remarks are a diversion from the previous approach of action-for-action in dealing with the North's nuclear issue.

Crowley said the U.S. is not looking for half measures, but is instead hoping to see North Korea take meaningful, irreversible steps towards denuclearization.

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian Affairs Kurt Campbell said Saturday that U.S. officials have made clear that if Pyongyang is prepared to take serious and irreversible steps, the parties to the six-way nuclear talks can offer a comprehensive package attractive to the communist state.