By Lee Chi-dong
WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (Yonhap) -- The United States on Thursday dismissed rumors of imminent talks with North Korea, saying it is still waiting for a positive signal from the communist nation's new leadership.

   "We are still awaiting clarification as to whether North Korea is ready to come to the talks along the lines that we would expect if we're going to resume them," State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said at a press briefing in response to a report that the two sides are expected to hold direct talks soon.

   Nuland said she has no new information from when Washington and Pyongyang had formal meetings in mid-December before the death of the North's leader, Kim Jong-il. His youngest son, believed to be under 30, has become its new leader, at least outwardly.

   Nuland said the U.S. is awaiting an "updated set of instructions to our interlocutors."

   The U.S. has been demanding the North improve its relations with South Korea and prove its seriousness about denuclearization through action in order to continue a bilateral dialogue and resume the six-way nuclear talks.

   lcd@yna.co.kr
leechidong@gmail.com
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