North Korea: US offers nothing to push nuke talks

SEOUL—NORTH Korea said on Thursday the United States had nothing to offer it in possible renewed talks aimed at getting Pyongyang to give up its nuclear and missile programs after Washington said it was ready to take “concrete steps” toward securing a deal. It criticized the United States for convening a UN Security Council meeting on Wednesday, calling it a “foolish thing,” which would help Pyongyang to make a clear decision on which path it would take. The US envoy to the United Nations, Kelly Craft, said the United States was ready “to simultaneously take concrete steps” toward a deal on North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs but she added that the security council must be prepared to respond to any provocations. US Special Representative for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, is expected to visit Seoul next week to meet South Korean officials, leading to speculation he could try to salvage talks by reaching out to North Korea ahead of the deadline.