This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
US Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun is on a four-day trip to Seoul and Tokyo to discuss North Korea's denuclearisation, a move that has sparked speculation about a possible revival of diplomacy with Pyongyang ahead of the US presidential election in November.
However, North Korea has repeatedly stated that it has no interest in talks, and Biegun's visit has been met with skepticism by Pyongyang.
"I've seen some press comments that the North Koreans are not prepared to meet with me on this visit," Biegun told reporters after talks with his South Korean counterpart, adding that Washington did not request a meeting with North Koreans.
"It's somewhat strange because we did not request a visit with North Koreans," he said.
North Korea's nuclear arsenal has been a major point of contention in talks between the US and North Korea, which have been stalled since a Hanoi summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un collapsed in early 2019.
Kim declared in December an end to moratoriums on nuclear and ballistic missile tests, and Pyongyang has repeatedly said it has no intention to continue talks unless Washington drops what it describes as "hostile" policies toward the North.
On Wednesday, Biegun said that the North Koreans "will find us ready" at any time to return to talks, but it remains to be seen whether Pyongyang will take up the offer.
