U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun said Wednesday that the United States is ready for further dialogue with North Korea and expressed support for increased inter-Korean cooperation.
SEOUL, July 8 (UPI) — U. S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun said Wednesday that Washington is ready for further dialogue with Pyongyang but denied reports that he was seeking a meeting with North Korean officials during a visit to Seoul.
Biegun, who acts as Washington’s point man for North Korea, said that the United States remains focused on the issues raised during summits between U. S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, including creating an enduring peace and eliminating nuclear weapons on the Korean Peninsula.
« When Chairman Kim appoints a counterpart to me, who is prepared and empowered to negotiate on these issues, they will find us ready at that very moment, » Biegun said in a statement Wednesday after a meeting with South Korea’s top nuclear envoy, Lee Do-hoon.
« I believe this is very much possible. President Trump has given us his full support to continue this effort, » he added.
Biegun arrived Tuesday in Seoul for a three-day visit that has so far included meetings with other government officials including First Vice Foreign Minister Cho Sei-young.
