WASHINGTON, July 5 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Tuesday reiterated calls for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to return to the six-party talks and engage in constructive talks.

    "We have been urging for quite some time North Korea to return to the six-party talks without precondition and to engage in a constructive manner," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said at a briefing.

    McCormack made the remarks while announcing Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's upcoming trip to China, South Korea, Japan and Thailand.

    "We have been in consultation, and on this trip will consult again, with other members of the six-party talks about the way forward, but we still urge the North Koreans to return to the table and engage in a constructive manner," he said.

    The six-party talks, hosted by China, have been stalled since June last year. Enditem