N Korea not interested in nuclear talks, says US
WASHINGTON: After months of sanctions and threats, North Korea has shown no interest in talks on giving up its nuclear weapons, the US State Department has said.
“North Korean officials have shown no indication that they are interested in or are ready for talks regarding denuclearisation,” US State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said.
She reiterated that the US was not interested in “promoting the collapse of the current regime, pursuing regime change, accelerating reunification of the peninsula or mobilising forces north of the DMZ (Demilitarised Zone)”.
The statement came after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson revealed during a visit to China that the US has direct channels of communication with North Korea.
“We’re not in a dark situation or a blackout. We have a couple of direct channels to Pyongyang. We can talk to them. We’ve made it clear that we hope to resolve this through talks,” Tillerson said.
At a congressional hearing, US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton said the purpose of putting pressure on North Korea was to bring it back to negotiations on denuclearisation.
China commended the US commitment to resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said.
“Relevant parties have released positive signals recently on peacefully resolving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue via dialogue.
“We encourage these moves. China is affirmative of the commitment and hopes the US can convert it into concrete actions,” Lu said, calling on North Korea to exert joint efforts.
“We expect all relevant parties can show their sincerity to pave the way for peaceful talks.”
Tensions have been running high on the Korean Peninsula after the North conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September3.
The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a new resolution toughening sanctions against Pyongyang.
In response, the North tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile which flew over Japan. – Xinhua