WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States on Monday reiterated its call for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to return to the international nuclear talks.

    Urging the DPRK to return at the earliest possible date to the six-party talks, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack defended U.S. sanctions against Pyongyang, saying they are unrelated to diplomatic efforts to rid the DPRK of nuclear weapons.

    "We are going to continue to take those steps, and we believe that any other country would take steps to protect itself, to act to prevent or stop illicit activity," McCormack said.

    The latest round of six-party talks ended in November 2005, but the prospect of their resumption has become increasingly unclear as the DPRK disputes U.S. sanctions against its alleged currency counterfeiting and other activities.

    Pyongyang said last week it's "impossible" for it to return to the negotiating table as long as Washington keeps the sanctions.

    Last September Washington placed sanctions on a Macao-based bank after it allegedly helped the DPRK distribute counterfeit currency and engage in other illicit activities. The following month, it also sanctioned eight DPRK companies it claimed were fronts for proliferating weapons of mass destruction.

    McCormack said U.S. envoys will contact Pyongyang officials "in the coming days" to try to restart negotiations. Enditem