SOUTH KOREA HAS URGED THE UNITED STATES TO ENGAGE IN DIRECT TALKS WITH NORTH KOREA, BUT WASHINGTON HAS REFUSED, ACCORDING TO A NEWS REPORT MONDAY. A HIGH-RANKING GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL SAID SEOUL HAD PRESSED FOR THE TALKS, BUT THAT WASHINGTON WAS RELUCTANT BECAUSE IT FELT THAT THE NORTH'S INVITATION SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN MADE PUBLICLY, SOUTH KOREA'S YONHAP NEWS AGENCY REPORTED. THE OFFICIAL WASN'T IDENTIFIED.