The United States may postpone its planned announcement on food aid to North Korea and a plan to hold a third round of bilateral talks with the North due to the sudden death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

An official from the U.S. administration told American media under the condition of anonymity on Sunday, local time, that the announcement of aid and the plan to hold bilateral talks could be delayed due to the unexpected development in the North.

The official said the U.S. administration is most concerned about the movements of the North Korean military, but he hoped stability on the Korean Peninsula will be maintained.

The U.S. planned to announce the provision of 240-thousand tons of food aid as early as Monday and hold a third round of talks with the North on Thursday in Beijing.