The United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) began a round of talks Wednesday to prepare for the first visit to Washington next month by a high-level DPRK official since the Asian country was founded 50 in September 1948.

The U.S. delegation was headed by Charles Kartman, U.S. special envoy to DPRK, and the DPRK delegation was led by Vice Foreign Minister Kim Gye Gwan. The two delegation leaders both declined to comment to reporters before their meeting kicked off at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York. Preparations have been under way for months for the official visit, some details and dates for the proposed visit have not been decided.

The two sides opened talks Tuesday in an undisclosed location in what was considered an informal session. A U.S. State Department official said Tuesday's meeting ironed out the details for conducting Wednesday's formal round.