New York, United States : US Secretary of State John Kerry on Sunday urged North Korea to freeze its nuclear program as a first step toward starting serious negotiations with the United States and the world about its future.
Speaking at a meeting with the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers, Kerry said the United States remains "deeply committed" to mutual defense and to "rolling back the provocative, reckless behavior" of North Korea.
The United States is ready to hold talks with Pyongyang to discuss peace on the Korean peninsula, ending North Korea's isolation and economic development if it agrees to denuclearization, he said.
"The immediate need is for them to freeze where they are, to agree to freeze and not to engage in any more provocative actions, not engage in more testing, particularly in order to bring countries together and to begin a serious negotiation about the future," said Kerry.
North Korea this month carried out its fifth and biggest nuclear test, which followed a series of missile launches in violation of UN resolutions barring Pyongyang from developing nuclear and missile technology.
China, Pyongyang's ally, has been pushing for re-starting the six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear program that would also involve the United States, Japan, Russia and South Korea.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Speaking at a meeting with the Japanese and South Korean foreign ministers, Kerry said the United States remains "deeply committed" to mutual defense and to "rolling back the provocative, reckless behavior" of North Korea.
The United States is ready to hold talks with Pyongyang to discuss peace on the Korean peninsula, ending North Korea's isolation and economic development if it agrees to denuclearization, he said.
North Korea this month carried out its fifth and biggest nuclear test, which followed a series of missile launches in violation of UN resolutions barring Pyongyang from developing nuclear and missile technology.
Advertisement
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
North Korea To Open Borders For Foreign Tourists In December North Korea Is Launching More Trash-Filled Balloons Southward: South Korea Canadian North Korea Expert Detained In Switzerland On Espionage Charges Life On Earth Originates From One Ancestor, Older Than Previously Believed Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests Siddaramaiah's Swipe At Governor Amid Calls For Resignation: 10 Points Trump, Kamala Harris To Fight For Pennsylvania Votes With Rally, Bus Tour Send Reports Every 2 Hours: Centre To States On Kolkata Horror Protests Thar, Scorpio SUVs Inside Restricted Zone In Ranthambore Tiger Reserve Seized Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.