U.S. and North Korean officials in San Diego have wrapped up unofficial talks with other northeast Asian countries about regional security, but no major breakthroughs are expected.
Susan Shirk, a founder of the Northeast Asia Cooperation Dialogue, said Tuesday the two-day meeting was designed to be "frank but friendly" and was not preparation for a resumption of official multilateral talks.
North Korea carried out nuclear and missile tests earlier this year, but leader Kim Jong Il has recently said his country could rejoin international disarmament talks, depending on the status of direct talks with the U.S.
The forum involved senior officials from the two countries as well as South Korea, China, Russia and Japan.
