Talks between the United States and North Korea are still under way on pending issues such as the provision of U.S. food aid and the North’s preliminary actions for denuclearization.

A diplomatic source familiar with the North Korean nuclear issue said on Tuesday that Washington and Pyongyang are holding contact through the North’s New York dialogue channel with the U.S., which was activated right after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il.

The source said a third round of bilateral talks between the two sides and prospects for the resumption of six-party nuclear talks depend on the choices the North makes.

North Korea is asking the U.S. to increase nutritional aid and provide grains such rice and corn, but the U.S. remains negative about the request, citing the possibility of aid being misappropriated by the North's military.