비건, 폼페이오, 北에 북미협상 재개 논의 촉구<br /><br />Denuclearization talks between Washington and Pyeongyang have been stalled for the past few months. <br />Top American diplomats voiced their concern regarding the lack of progress, urging the North to return to the negotiating table.<br />Our Eum Ji-young has this report. <br />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.<br />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. <br />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.<br />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.<br />Meanwhile, U.S. Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun took a stronger tone.<br />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.<br />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." <br />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.<br />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.<br />Eum Ji-young Arirang News. <br />
