The United States says it has yet to receive a clear indication from North Korea that it is willing to return to the six-way nuclear talks.

Assistant Secretary of State Philip Crowley told reporters Tuesday that Washington has not received any indication from Pyongyang related to the nuclear negotiations following special envoy Stephen Bosworth’s visit to Pyongyang earlier this month.

Crowley said the U.S. hopes the North will decide to return to the nuclear talks, adding that Washington believes Bosworth had a constructive meeting with Pyongyang when he visited the communist state. However, the official said Washington is waiting for a formal indication from North Korea as to what it is prepared to do.

Crowley said that claims by some that the six-party process is dead are premature.