US says it won’t accept North Korea-set nuclear deadline

A senior U.S. diplomat said Monday that Washington won’t accept a year-end deline set by rth Korea to make concessions in stalled nuclear talks and urged Pyongyang to return to a negotiating table immediately.

“On this point, let me be absolutely clear: United States does t have a deline,” Stephen Biegun, U.S. special representative for rth Korea, told reporters. “We are fully aware of strong potential for rth Korea to conduct a major provocation in days ahe. To say least, such an action will be most unhelpful in achieving lasting peace on Korean Peninsula.”

Biegun, who was in Seoul for talks with South Korean officials, called on rth Korea to sit down for talks.

“Let me speak directly to our counterparts in rth Korea: It is time for us to do our jobs. Let’s get this done. We are here. And you kw how to reach us,” he said.

Biegun later held separate meetings with South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Unification Minister Kim Yeon-chul, Seoul’s point man on rth Korea. Moon’s office said that during his visit to presidential Blue House, Biegun said Trump ministration wouldn’t give up on seeking diplomatic progress with rth Korea, but it did t elaborate furr.

It’s unclear if rth Korea will reach out to U.S. to resolve ir widening differences on how to achieve rth Korean denuclearization.

Senior rth Korean officials have recently said denuclearization is alrey off negotiating table and have threatened to lift a self-imposed moratorium on nuclear and long-range missile tests. In past months, rth Korea has also conducted a slew of short-range missile and or weapons tests.

Worries about a major rth Korean provocation grew after country said Saturday that it h successfully performed an unspecified “crucial test” that will strengn its nuclear deterrent. Experts say rth could launch a satellite-carrying rocket or an intercontinental ballistic missile if U.S. fails to meet year-end deline.

Friday’s test was second in a week at a rocket facility where rth Korea has conducted missile-engine tests and launched satellites in what U.N. called cover for testing its long-range missile techlogy.

rth Korea’s military chief, Pak Jong Chon, asserted Saturday that rth has built up “tremendous power” and that findings from recent tests would be used to develop new weapons to allow country to “definitely and reliably” counter U.S. nuclear threats.

test-flight of an ICBM would likely completely derail diplomatic efforts as President Donald Trump has viewed rth Korean weapons test moratorium as a major foreign policy achievement.

Biegun called latest rth Korean statements “so hostile and negative and so unnecessary.” He said y don’t reflect spirit and content of discussions two countries have h since rth entered talks with U.S. last year.

He said United States has offered “any number of creative ways to proceed with feasible steps and flexibility in our negotiations to reach balanced agreements that meet objectives of both sides.”