Diplomats have said that North Korea needs to rejoin talks on ending its nuclear programs if it wants concessions from the international community.

The Yonhap News Agency reported on Friday that nuclear negotiators from Japan and South Korea urged North Korea to return to the six-nation talks, last held in December 2008.

The negotiations involved North Korea, South Korea, China, Japan, the United States and Russia.

The removal of U. N. sanctions has been demanded by North Korea before it will return to the talks, but diplomats involved have rejected that.

A Japanese official who asked to remain anonymous said," The sides agreed the North must return to the six-party talks without any preconditions and that although North Korea continues to demand the removal of U. N. sanctions, such a move can only be considered when there is significant progress in the denuclearization of North Korea."

Ministry officials further said that South Korea's foreign minister will visit China next week for talks with his Chinese counterpart on the resumption of the nuclear negotiations. (With Inputs from Agencies)