North Korea insists on lifting U.S. sanctions against it

North Korea has repeatedly refused to scrap its demand for the US to lift financial restrictions. US envoy, Christopher Hill expressed frustration over Pyongyang's stance.

However the North Korea expressed a willingness, on definite conditions, to give up production of new weapons and to ditch its present plutonium programme.

Japan says there are no prospects for a breakthrough due to Pyongyang's refusal to disarm before U.S. restrictions are lifted. 

Talks are underway in Beijing on Thursday to try to persuade North Korea to renounce its nuclear efforts.

The Beijing meeting marks the end of a 13-month boycott by North Korea of 6-party talks with China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the U.S.