US urges DPRK's steps toward denuclearization

WASHINGTON - The US State Department on Monday urged the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) to take "credible" steps toward concrete denuclearization before bilateral talks can take place.

"The key piece here is that they need to take credible steps to move toward concrete denuclearization," department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters at a regular press briefing.

She said the DPRK has made "dozens if not hundreds" of proposals for talks, but "The international community has been very consistent and clear that North Korea must verifiably end its nuclear program".

"And to achieve the goal of denuclearization, North Korea must engage in authentic and credible negotiations that produce concrete denuclearization actions," she added.

A spokesman of the DPRK's National Defense Commission on Sunday proposed high-level talks with the United States without preconditions "to defuse tension and realize regional peace and security on the Korean Peninsula".

The White House stated its desire on Sunday to have "credible" negotiations with the Asian nation, but demanded steps to show its readiness to abide by its obligations.

Glyn Davies, US special representative for the DPRK, is scheduled to meet with his counterparts from Japan and the Republic of Korea in Washington this week to discuss DPRK-related issues.