The United States special envoy for North Korea, Stephen Biegun, urged Pyongyang on Monday to return offers of talks, dismissing leader Kim Jong Un's year-end deadline and stressing Washington's willingness to discuss "all issues of interest," Eurasia Diary reports citing Aljazeera.
Tension has been rising in recent weeks as Pyongyang has conducted a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with US President Donald Trump, stoking fears of a return to the hostility that characterised the two countries' relationship before diplomatic efforts began last year.
Biegun arrived in Seoul on Sunday amid speculation he might try to salvage negotiations by reaching out to North Korea, which has promised to take an unspecified "new path" if Washington failed to soften its stance before the end of the year.
"The United States does not have a deadline. We have a goal," Biegun told a joint news conference with his South Korean counterpart Lee Do-hoon.
"Let me speak directly to our counterparts in North Korea. It is time for us to do our jobs. Let's get this done. We are here, and you know how to reach us," Biegun said.
Biegun said it would be "most unhelpful" if North Korea carried out a significant military provocation in the near future.
He also expressed regret over a string of statements from North Korean officials in recent weeks, saying the tone of them has been "so hostile and negative and so unnecessary".