South Korea and the U.S. have agreed to maintain their current policies of dialogue and sanctions in regards to North Korea.

South Korean chief nuclear negotiator Wi Sung-lac met with Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg and other U.S. officials at the State Department and coordinated opinions on North Korea-related issues, including a recent North Korea-China summit.

After the meeting, Wi told reporters that Seoul and Washington have decided to maintain their current two-track approach of dialogue and sanctions on the North and will make efforts to create an atmosphere for the nuclear talks' resumption.

In particular, Wi said that their policies would change as needed and that future policy moves depend on North Korea’s commitment to progress.

Wi added that South Korea and the U.S. are prepared to reward Pyongyang for positive actions and punish it for negative actions.