No timeline for N Korea to dismantle arms, says Mattis

NORTH KOREA has yet to take any steps towards dismantling its nuclear weapons, James Mattis, the US defence secretary, has confirmed.

His statement comes after a vaguely worded statement at last week’s Singapore summit committed Pyongyang to complete denuclearisation without any clarity on steps or a timeline.

“Obviously, it’s the very front end of a process. The detailed negotiations have not begun,” said Mr Mattis, according to Yonhap News Agency. “I wouldn’t expect that at this point.”

The US, which pledged to “provide security guarantees” to North Korea in Singapore, this week announced it had called off plans for joint military drills with South Korea and several allies in the region in August. “We are still coor- dinating additional actions. No decisions on subsequent war-games have been made,” said Dana White, chief Pentagon spokesman.

‘Obviously it’s the very front end of a process. The detailed negotiations have not begun’

The move has been criticised by some, who regard it as a major concession to Pyongyang with little in return.

Mr Mattis said he would visit Seoul and Beijing next week to “sort out the way ahead” and he is expected to hold talks with Song Young-moo, the South Korean defence minister.