A senior U.S. diplomat has reiterated that Washington will continue to maintain tough sanctions on North Korea,... and has expressed concerns over the regime's repeated missile launches.
The official also said the U.S. will consult closely with its partners and allies in the Asia-Pacific, when it comes to the issue of deploying intermediate-range missiles throughout the region.
Kim Hyo-sun reports.
U.S. State Department Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security Affairs Andrea Thompson has reaffirmed Washington will continue to apply international sanctions on North Korea.
Thompson, who is visiting New Zealand,... held a conference call with reporters on Tuesday,... in which she expressed U.S. concerns about the North's continued missile launches.
This is in contrast to President Trump's response to the regime's five rounds of weapons tests since July 25th.
He brushed them off as (quote) "very standard."
Thompson also emphasized that Washington will keep working with its partners and allies as it continues to enforce UN Security Council resolutions.
She also said the Trump administration will stay engaged with the regime,... adding she's confident working-level discussions will resume soon.
On the issue of deploying intermediate-range missiles to Asia,... Thompson said the decision will be made jointly with U.S. allies in the region.
She stressed that such a decision will never be made unilaterally by Washington.
She also said any missile deployment would be for defensive purposes,... despite China's fierce opposition.
The U.S. has said it plans to deploy such weapons in the Asia-Pacific following its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty,... a move Beijing has vowed to respond to.
Kim Hyo-sun, Arirang News.