Six-nation nuclear talks in Beijing are focused on a  a Chinese proposal for steps the various participants can take to get the disarmament process started

The senior U.S. envoy to the North Korean nuclear talks says a single obstacle remains in the way of a preliminary deal. VOA's Kurt Achin reports from Beijing.

BizVantage – Serious business, investment and technology intelligence for a serious advantage.
Try the free, no-hassle 6 month trial!

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Hill said Saturday that negotiations on a preliminary list of actions aimed at dismantling North Korea's nuclear programs have come down to a single issue.

He would not reveal what the remaining obstacle is. The talks here in Beijing are focused on a Chinese proposal for steps the various participants can take to get the disarmament process started.

China, Russia, Japan, South Korea and the United States are trying to convince Pyongyang to abandon nuclear weapons in exchange for aid and diplomatic benefits.

Hill says patience is needed in dealing with North Korea, also known as the DPRK.

"The DPRK sometimes they look at little things, and little things for them are very big things," he said.

Experts believe early steps would involve some form of halt to North Korea's nuclear production in exchange for immediate energy assistance.