TALLINN – US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Friday that she hoped there would be "no miscalculation" that could spark a new war between North and South Korea.

"I hope that there is no talk of war, there is no action or miscalculation that could provoke a response that might lead to conflict that is not in anyone's interests," the chief US diplomat told reporters.

Clinton had been asked to comment on North Korea's seizing South Korean-owned assets at a mountain resort and warning both sides were on the brink of war over the sinking of a warship on their disputed border.

"We have said time and time again that North Koreans should not engage in provocative actions and that they should return to the six-party talks," she said, referring to the talks for the de-nuclearisation of the Korean peninsula and other matters.

"The way to resolve the outstanding differences ... is to return to the six-party talks framework as soon as possible," she added in Estonia where she has been attending a meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

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