US remain ready to engage in negotiations with North Korea - State Dept.

WASHINGTON, June 22 (KUNA) -- The US said on Tuesday that they remain prepared to engage in principle negotiations with the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea (DPRK) to deal with the challenge of its nuclear program.
"We're constantly looking for ways to strengthen our cooperation as we work toward what is the end goal of the policy that we have put forward. And that is the complete denuclearization of the Korean peninsula," the Spokesman for US State Department Edward Ned Price.
"Whatever we label, any diplomatic mechanism, we're committed to that close and constant coordination with the (Republic of Korea) ROK and also, as appropriate, with Japan and, of course, try literally with the ROK and Japan together.
When it comes to the comments you mentioned emanating from North Korea, we've seen them. We're aware of them," Price said.
"They have not changed our view on diplomacy. We remain prepared to engage in principle negotiations with the DPRK to deal with the challenge of its nuclear program," Price added.
"You heard from Ambassador Kim the other day of our offer to meet anywhere, anytime, without preconditions.
We continue to hope that the DPRK will respond positively to our outreach.
And we'll have to wait and see if these comments are followed up with any more direct communications about a potential path forward," Price added.
"Again, our policy is not aimed at hostility.
It's aimed at solutions and it's ultimately about achieving the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
And to do that, it takes a calibrated, practical approach. that's open to and we'll explore diplomacy with the DPRK to make progress," Price noted.
"That, above all, increases the security of the United States, of our allies, of our deployed forces as well," Price added. (end) asj.mb