The White House says that without an agreement from North Korea to end its aggressive behavior and to come to the six-way nuclear talks with a seriousness of purpose on the denuclearization issue, multilateral discussions are just a PR activity.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told reporters Tuesday that the six-party talks cannot substitute for action by North Korea to comply with its obligations and to cease its destabilizing actions on the Korean Peninsula. He reiterated that these are not talks for talking sake.

Gibbs added that the negotiations have to be met with a seriousness of all those involved about making progress, particularly on the part of the North.

Gibbs made the remark after being asked to comment on China's hopes to have emergency consultations on North Korea.