The United States has finished two days of talks with North Korea, the first such contacts in nearly two years.
The BBC reports the meetings were aimed at exploring the possibility of reopening discussions on North Korea's nuclear weapons programme.
Both sides said the talks were constructive. They are to continue on Friday in New York.
North Korea conducted nuclear tests in 2006 and 2009.
The BBC reports tensions between the Koreas increased last year after two attacks that left 50 South Koreans dead.
Six party talks involving North and South Korea, the US, Russia, China and Japan were last held at the end of 2008.
