WASHINGTON, March 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States said on Thursday that it will continue to take steps to stop the alleged "illicit activities" by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    "We are going to continue to take steps to stop North Korea's engagement in illicit activities," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at a briefing.

    McClellan said that the just-concluded meeting between the United States and the DPRK, held in New York earlier this week on the DPRK's alleged money-laundering and counterfeiting, had nothing to do with the six-party talks.

    "North Korea has not said that they are ready to come back without precondition," McClellan said.

    The six-party talks have been deadlocked since the United States imposed on financial sanctions on the DPRK last year.

    The DPRK has said it will not return to the talks if the United States does not lift the sanctions. Enditem