The US diplomat responsible for North Korea said Friday that Pyongyang is proceeding with its nuclear programme and showing no clear sign of steps that would permit the resumption of international talks on ending it.
The negotiations, known as the six-party talks, began in 2003 and consist of five countries -- China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States -- trying to convince North Korea to drop its atomic development in exchange for aid and other incentives.
Pyongyang walked out of the talks in 2009, three years after carrying out its first nuclear test, and has subsequently detonated two more devices underground.
North Korean officials have repeatedly said the secretive regime is willing to resume the discussions unconditionally, but the US and others are demanding that it concretely demonstrate its sincerity first.
"There's very strong consensus among the five parties that in order for us to have any chance of success in nuclear negotiations we need a very strong commitment from the North Koreans that in fact they would be a serious negotiating partner if and when negotiations resume," Sung Kim told reporters in Beijing.
"And that's what we're waiting to see from the North Koreans," added Kim, Washington's special representative for North Korea policy.
"We are concerned that North Koreans are continuing to pursue their nuclear programme, improve their nuclear and missile capabilities."
Kim, a former US ambassador to South Korea who assumed his current post in early November, spoke at the conclusion of a trip that also included stops in Tokyo and Seoul.
The negotiations, known as the six-party talks, began in 2003 and consist of five countries -- China, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States -- trying to convince North Korea to drop its atomic development in exchange for aid and other incentives.
Pyongyang walked out of the talks in 2009, three years after carrying out its first nuclear test, and has subsequently detonated two more devices underground.
North Korean officials have repeatedly said the secretive regime is willing to resume the discussions unconditionally, but the US and others are demanding that it concretely demonstrate its sincerity first.
"There's very strong consensus among the five parties that in order for us to have any chance of success in nuclear negotiations we need a very strong commitment from the North Koreans that in fact they would be a serious negotiating partner if and when negotiations resume," Sung Kim told reporters in Beijing.
"And that's what we're waiting to see from the North Koreans," added Kim, Washington's special representative for North Korea policy.
"We are concerned that North Koreans are continuing to pursue their nuclear programme, improve their nuclear and missile capabilities."
Kim, a former US ambassador to South Korea who assumed his current post in early November, spoke at the conclusion of a trip that also included stops in Tokyo and Seoul.
