Denuclearization off negotiating table - N. Korea's U.N. envoy
North Korea's denuclearization is off the negotiating table with the United States.
That's according to North Korea's ambassador to the United Nations, Kim Song, who said on Saturday that lengthy talks with Washington are unnecessary.
Kim said in a statement that the "sustained and substantial dialog" sought by the United States was a "time-saving trick" to suit its domestic political agenda, a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump's 2020 reelection bid.
Tensions have risen ahead of a year-end deadline set by North Korea… which has called on the U.S. to drop punishing sanctions.
Washington however, has refused to offer concessions before a nuclear deal.
Trump on Saturday told reporters that he didn't think Pyongyang would act hostile to the United States:
(SOUNDBITE) U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, SAYING:
"We'll see about North Korea. I'd be surprised if North Korea acted hostilely. I have a very good relationship with Kim Jong Un. I think we both want to keep it that way, he knows I have an election coming up, I don't think he wants to interfere with that but we'll have to see."
Kim Jong Un has warned he could take an unspecified "new path" next year, raising fears this could mean a return to the nuclear bomb and long-range missile testing suspended since 2017.
