U.S. Officials to Discuss N. Korea Impasse in Asia

WASHINGTON -- U.S. officials are heading to Asia to discuss the impasse over North Korea's nuclear program.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Tuesday that the Obama administration's envoys to North Korea, Stephen Bosworth and Sung Kim, as well as the National Security Council's Asia director, Daniel Russell, are leaving next week for talks in Seoul, Tokyo and Beijing.

The trip comes as China pushes to resume talks with North Korea. China has suggested a compromise among the six countries involved in the nuclear disarmament talks.

Seoul and Washington have been wary. They accuse North Korea of torpedoing a South Korean warship in March.

North Korea walked away from the talks to protest international condemnation of its latest missile test.