Top U.S. diplomats urge N. Korea to return to denuclearization talks

비건, 폼페이오, 北에 북미협상 재개 논의 촉구Denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyeongyang have been stalled for the past few months. Top American diplomats voiced their concern regarding the lack of progress, urging the North to return to the negotiating table.Our Eum Ji-young has this report. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said Washington is committed to denuclearization talks with North Korea and hopes the regime will keep its promise to return to the negotiating table.In an interview with a local radio station in Missouri on Friday local time, Pompeo said that Washington is willing to continue talks with Pyeongyang, to bring an outcome that is good for both countries. The top U.S. diplomat said that he believes North Korea still remains committed to such talks, despite its latest series of short-range ballistic missile launches.Regarding the missile launches, Pompeo acknowledged that North Korea has the right to defend itself and assured Pyongyang of Washington's security guarantees, should the regime dismantle its nuclear weapons program.Meanwhile, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun took a stronger tone.During his speech at the University of Michigan on Friday local time, Biegun called on the North to halt its demonstrations of hostility, referring to them as a violation of UN sanctions.He warned that if North Korea clings to its development of weapons of mass destruction, the U.S. and the rest of the world will quote "not accept that." The top U.S. envoy urged the North to return to talks, adding that Washington is prepared to engage as soon as Pyeongyang makes the call.Dialogue has stalled despite an agreement between U.S. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on June 30th to resume denuclearization talks within several weeks.Eum Ji-young Arirang News.