U.S. media say President Lee Myung-bak’s statement that the six-way nuclear talks are the necessary means to convince North Korea to abandon its nuclear programs suggests that Seoul is willing to return to the nuclear discussions.

The Washington Post said that Lee’s comment issued on Thursday opened a narrow window for the resumption of long-dormant negotiations.

Earlier on Thursday, Seoul-based Yonhap News quoted Lee as saying that “South Korea has no choice but to resolve the problem of dismantling North Korea's nuclear program diplomatically through the six-party talks."

The Washington Post said that although numerous obstacles stand in the way of renewed aid-for-disarmament talks, Lee's comment --- coming after weeks of more hawkish rhetoric --- suggests that South Korea will not rely solely on military muscle to pressure its neighbor.

The Wall Street Journal said Lee’s remarks hinted at the South's willingness to return to six-party talks.