The United States has reportedly conveyed to North Korea that the stalled six-way nuclear talks can resume when the North accepts preliminary steps for denuclearization.

The U.S. made its position clear as a third round of high-level U.S.-North Korea talks is set to open in Beijing next Thursday.

In particular, Washington called on the North to suspend the operation of its uranium enrichment facilities in Yongbyon and proposed that the North allow inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to confirm and monitor the shutdown of those facilities.

The U.S. reportedly believes that if the North does not take such proposed steps, the return of IAEA inspectors into the communist country and a moratorium on tests and production of weapons of mass destruction would not hold much significance.

Diplomatic sources in Washington said the most important thing in upcoming U.S.-North Korea talks will be to confirm whether the North intends to actively implement preliminary measures on denuclearization.