N.Korea must make ‘credible, verifiable’ moves to abandon nukes: Pence

Washington (AFP) – The White House warned the prospect of talks with North Korea will not spell the end of its campaign of “maximum pressure” until Pyongyang takes concrete steps to abandon its nuclear weapons.

“Whichever direction talks with North Korea go, we will be firm in our resolve,” Vice President Mike Pence said in a statement after Pyongyang dangled the prospect of direct negotiations between the nuclear-armed rivals.

“The United States and our allies remain committed to applying maximum pressure on the Kim regime to end their nuclear program,” he said.

“All options are on the table and our posture toward the regime will not change until we see credible, verifiable, and concrete steps toward denuclearization.”