The U.S says it is not considering sending New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to North Korea.

State Department spokesman Philip Crowley made the comment Monday in response to reports that President Barack Obama could be mulling allowing a trip to Pyongyang by Richardson following the adoption of a U.N. Security Council statement on the sinking of South Korea’s “Cheonan” naval vessel.

A North Korean ambassador reportedly invited Richardson in May to visit the communist state, but a diplomatic source in Washington says no consideration for such a move is being given by the administration.

Richardson led a successful U.S. prisoner release deal with North Korea in 1996 and has visited the North on multiple occasions.