US Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill urged Wednesday Norht Korea to fully declare its nuclear programs.

"There's a great deal on the table that is in their interest, but they have to understand that we cannot, at the end of the day, permit them to hold on to nuclear material," Hill said at a briefing.

"I think we will figure out a way through the declaration. I am much more focused on the next set of problems," Hill said.

The United States has said it hopes Norht Korea will hand over a complete declaration on its nuclear activities in "the not too distant future".

Hill, also head of the US delegation at the six-party talks, met with Norht Korean officials in Geneva earlier this month to try to push forward the denuclearization process but achieved no breakthrough.

Under an agreement reached by the six-party talks in Beijing in February last year, Norht Korea agreed to abandon all nuclear weapons and nuclear programs and declare all its nuclear programs and facilities by the end of last year in exchange for diplomatic and economic incentives.

However, Norht Korea missed the deadline, although there was reported progress in its nuclear disablement and declaration.

The United States has said it is ready to open full diplomatic ties with Norht Korea if it completely gives up its nuclear weapons and programs.

(Xinhua News Agency March 20, 2008)