The United States says it regards upcoming talks with North Korea as a foundation for potential direct dialogue between Washington and Pyongyang.

State Department Spokeswoman Victoria Nuland told reporters on Monday that the U.S. sees the upcoming talks as a preliminary session where the two sides will clearly lay out their expectations for what will be necessary not only to resume the stalled six-way nuclear talks but also to improve direct engagement between the U.S. and the North.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the upcoming U.S.-North Korea meeting as "exploratory" when she announced that the North's vice foreign minister, Kim Kye-kwan, will visit New York later this week.