U.S. special envoy Stephen Bosworth says the parties of the six-way nuclear talks should exercise "strategic patience" for now.

Bosworth, who is the U.S. special representative for North Korea policy, made the statement to reporters in Beijing Saturday, one day after he discussed the results of his recent trip to North Korea with Chinese officials.

He said that further discussions are need to draw up ways to resume the stalled six-way nuclear talks, adding that more time is needed on the matter.

On the outcome of his trip to Pyongyang, Bosworth said he met with North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kang Sok-ju and its top nuclear envoy, Kim Kye-kwan. Bosworth added that he and the North Korean officials came to an understanding on the need for and the role of the six-party talks and the importance of implementing the September 2005 Joint Statement. In the landmark accord, the North agreed to abandon its nuclear program in return for economic and diplomatic incentives.

On the possibility of holding additional U.S.-North Korea talks, Bosworth said he did not discuss such a possibility with North Korean officials when they met in Pyongyang earlier this week. Bosworth added that this week’s talks were held within the context of the six-nation negotiations.