The U.S. envoy to multi-national talks on ending North Korea's nuclear weapons program has arrived in Asia in an effort to revive the talks.
During a brief stop in Japan Wednesday Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill met with his Japanese counterpart, Kenichiro Sasae.
Hill then headed for Seoul to meet with his South Korean counterpart. He will travel Thursday to Beijing.
North Korea has said it will not return to the six-nation nuclear talks which include the two Koreas, Russia, China, Japan and the United States until Washington lifts sanctions against Pyongyang.
U.S. officials have urged the North to return to the talks without setting conditions.
The United States imposed financial sanctions on North Korea in September. Washington accuses the North of counterfeiting and money laundering.
Information for this report is provided by AP and Reuters.