The U.S. State Department says it is aware nongovernmental organizations have invited North Korea’s nuclear envoy Ri Gun to the United States later this month.

Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley told a regular news briefing that Washington has not yet made a decision whether to approve Ri’s visit.

University of California’s Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation invited Ri to its multilateral forum --- the Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue --- participated by diplomats, military officials and scholars from the concerned parties of the six-party nuclear talks.

Focus is on whether U.S. and North Korean officials will meet on the sidelines of the forum if Ri is granted a visa.