U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis says.... there has been progress in denuclearization talks with North Korea.<br /> Speaking to reporters earlier this week aboard a flight to Vietnam,... the U.S. defense chief said..... despite its difficulty,... the talks to dismantle the North's nuclear program have made progress,... and such diplomatic efforts will continue.<br />Mattis also said..... troop training and military cooperation between the U.S. and South Korea is ongoing,....although joint military exercises between the two countries have partly suspended.<br />Meanwhile, the defense secretary brushed aside speculation of him being replaced,... saying that he had never talked about leaving his position with U.S. President Donald Trump. <br />
