The United States says the issue of food aid to North Korea remains separate from any policy or political decisions.

State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner told reporters on Wednesday that U.S. humanitarian assistance programs are not connected to any policy decisions in any way.

He made the remark after being asked whether food to the North should be a precondition to the six-way nuclear talks.

Toner said Washington will decide on whether to provide food aid to the North after looking at an assessment by a group of food security experts that are visiting the communist state.

He added that in the event food aid is provided, the U.S. would seek to ensure that there’s proper monitoring so that it gets to the people who need it most.