The U.S. is in behind-the-scenes talks with North Korea over a possible third summit and has proposed working-level negotiations that have been stalled since the second such meeting in February, South Korean President Moon Jae-in said on Wednesday.

Mr. Moon, in written answers to questions posed by visiting foreign journalists, said there was no reason to talk of a ”stalemate” just because there had been no official dialogue, aimed at the denuclearisation of North Korea.

“Both sides have been engaged in dialogue in regard to a third summit,” Mr. Moon said. “It’s noteworthy that the behind-the-scenes talks have been preceded by the mutual understanding of each other’s position gained through the Hanoi summit.”

The U.S. had made a proposal for working-level talks, Mr. Moon said, urging North Korea to return to the negotiating table “at the earliest date possible”.

Mr. Moon said North Korean leader Kim Jong-un had told him that he wanted to “finalise a denuclearisation process as soon as possible and to concentrate on economic development”.

He called for the North to scrap the “passive stance” it has presented since the Hanoi summit and take action on its past promises.