The United States says it will continue its diplomatic efforts to denuclearize North Korea,... despite news that its pointman on the regime is retiring.<br /> The U.S. special representative for North Korea policy Joseph Yun says he will step down at the end of this week. <br />He said the decision is entirely his own,... but the timing comes at a surprising juncture,... as South Korea recently relayed that North Korea is open to direct discussions with the U.S.<br />His departure will leave the Trump administration without an envoy for engaging North Korea or an ambassador in Seoul, a spot that has been vacant for over a year.<br />Yun is retiring after more than three decades of service. <br />He said he's hopeful about the prospect of talks resolving the standoff over the regime's nuclear program. <br />
