The U.S.' top nuclear negotiator says Washington still hopes for the resumption of the stalled six-party nuclear talks, although North Korea’s missile launch has made the situation more difficult.

U.S. Special Envoy for North Korea Policy Glyn Davies also said Thursday, however, that there is no change in the U.S.’ stance that multilateral nuclear talks can resume only when North Korea takes reliable denuclearization steps.

Davies stressed that the nuclear negotiations can reopen any time, although preconditions for resumption have been strengthened.

Asked about what the six-party talks could discuss when North Korea is stubborn about having nuclear weapons, Davies said that it is up to the North Korean leadership and the ball is in Pyongyang's court.

The U.S. special envoy said there is little chance of war on the Korean Peninsula and in North East Asia, despite North Korea’s repeated provocations.