Japanese public broadcaster NHK says U.S. President Barack Obama is planning to set up direct talks with North Korea to discuss the nuclear issue.

In an NHK TV interview, Obama said he will dispatch his special representative for North Korea Stephen Bosworth to Pyongyang. However, the president did not disclose any details about when the visit might occur.

Obama added that any bilateral dialogue that takes place with North Korea will be held within the framework of the six-party nuclear talks.

He said he believes that if all parties act sincerely, the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula can be achieved.