http://www.swissinfo.org/eng/international/ticker/detail/U_S_backs_bid_for_N_Korea_talks.html?siteSect=143&sid=6874545&cKey=1152396459000SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States, facing opposition to proposed U.N. sanctions against North Korea for this week's missile tests, said on Saturday it backed China's proposal for informal talks to re-engage the reclusive state.
China -- the closest North Korea has for an ally -- and Russia oppose a draft U.N. Security Council resolution by Japan to bar missile-related financial and technology transactions with North Korea because of the missile launches.
Instead the focus is shifting towards ways to re-start six-nation talks, stalled since late last year, aimed at persuading North Korea to end its nuclear weapons programme.
"The Chinese have talked about putting together a six-party informal. We both support that," the top U.S. envoy for North Korea, Christopher Hill, told reporters in Seoul after a meeting with a South Korean official.