The United States’ chief delegate to the six-way talks, Sung Kim, will return to Washington early from a trip to Asia to attend strategic ministerial talks between South Korea and the U.S.

Kim is set to accompany U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Policy Stephen Bosworth when he visits Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo this week.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters that Bosworth will visit Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo, but that Kim will accompany Bosworth only to Beijing and Seoul after which he will return to Washington.

Observers say Kim may be returning early so he can brief Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on the results of recent talks held between North Korean and Chinese officials. Kim is also expected to be at the center of preparations for a strategic ministerial meeting between South Korea and the U.S.

On the possibility for bilateral North Korea-U.S. talks, Crowley said Washington has repeatedly said that it is willing to meet with the North within the context of the six-way nuclear talks.