A senior U.S. diplomat said Monday that Washington won’t accept a year-end deadline set by North Korea to make concessions installed nuclear talks and urged Pyongyang to return to a negotiating table immediately.

Axar.az reports citing Times that Biegun, who was in Seoul for talks with South Korean officials, called on North Korea to sit down for talks.

“On this point, let me be absolutely clear: The United States does not have a deadline,” Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special representative for North Korea, told reporters. “We are fully aware of the strong potential for North Korea to conduct a major provocation in the days ahead. To say the least, such an action will be most unhelpful in achieving lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula.”

“Let me speak directly to our counterparts in North Korea: It is time for us to do our jobs. Let’s get this done. We are here. And you know how to reach us,” he said.