Nuclear talks with North Korea make progress, U.S. says

By Melanie Lee and Daryl Loo

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Talks with North Korea's top nuclear envoy on Tuesday made progress towards resuming stalled negotiations over the North's nuclear program, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said.

"Depending on what we hear back from capitals by tomorrow, I think there will be some further announcements very soon," Hill told reporters after meeting North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Kim Kye-gwan in Singapore.

"We did as much as we could do ... We addressed all the issues we needed to address," Hill said.

Kim told reporters at a separate briefing that the differences in view between the two parties had "narrowed."

"I think our conversation was very good," said Kim, speaking outside the North Korean ambassador's residence.

South Korea's Yonhap news agency quoted Kim as also saying the discussions were "serious."

When asked if a deal was near on the declaration, he said: "There were discussions on the overall issues. Try to look at this with more time and patience."

Six-nation talks have been held up pending a full accounting of North Korea's nuclear activities, a declaration due at the end of last year.