New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called for efforts to continue to verify the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, despite another impasse reached this week in negotiations.

The six-party talks in Beijing ended on Thursday with North Korea apparently rejecting a compromise proposal on procedures to verify disablement of its disputed nuclear programme.

The parties involved in the talks are China, the United States, Russia, Japan and the two Koreas.

Ban said in a statement that there had been serious talks in Beijing, but differences remained, including terms of verification of North Korea's nuclear status.

He said he "strongly supports the goal of verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula in a peaceful manner."

"In this regard, I appreciate that the parties have reaffirmed this goal and unanimously agreed to advance the six-party talks," he said.

Ban called on the parties to overcome their remaining differences and complete the implementation of the second-phase actions in the near future. He said he stands ready to assist in any way possible to help toward this end. (dpa)