WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S., Japan and South Korea say ``a path is open" to North Korea toward the resumption of talks on its nuclear program and improved relations through dialogue.

Senior diplomats from the three allies held talks Tuesday in Washington on the situation on the Korean Peninsula and other issues including recent developments in Myanmar.

It comes a month after the death of North Korean leader Kim Jong-il. Before that, the U.S. appeared close to deal in which Pyongyang would get food aid and then suspend uranium enrichment. That could pave the way for the resumption of six-nation disarmament-for-aid talks.

North Korea last week criticized the U.S. over the food aid negotiations, but said it remains open to ``confidence-building" measures on its nuclear program.