U.S. seeks 'reliable' way forward with N. Korea

Sherman made the remarks following a meeting on Friday (July 23) with South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choi Jong-kun in Seoul on the second leg of her Asian tour.

The two sides discussed how to reopen negotiations after North Korea brushed off the Biden administration's proposals for talks, casting a cloud over prospects for dismantling its nuclear and missile programmes.

While North Korea has not reported any coronavirus cases, leader Kim Jong Un said the food situation was "tense", citing the pandemic that led to North Korea closing its border with China, disrupting trade, and a typhoon last year that damaged crops.

Sherman, who has considerable experience in dealing with North Korea, said the United States had offered to "sit and dialogue", reiterating hopes she expressed on Thursday (July 22) for an early response.