The last time the North sat down with other members of the six-party talks was in 2008.
The sixth round of six-party talks will take place on March 19, 2007.
A working group dealing with human rights abuses has also been set up at the six-party talks.
Hill says that China has been an active participant in the six-party talks.
The six-party talks were more a shadow play than a conference of substance.
U.S. officials are no longer making this a major issue in the six-party talks.
Or are you going to come back to the six-party talks?
"Both sides expressed hope that we'd have six-party talks soon," he said.
The only option we have is to negotiate seriously, both in the six-party talks and directly with the North.
"I think the six-party talks are in their interest."