eFM News

The United States has reiterated its goal of the "complete, verifiable and irreversible" denuclearization of North Korea.

Defense Secretary Mark Esper confirmed Washington's stance Thursday during a security forum hosted by the Hawaii-based Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.

The Pentagon chief called diplomatic negotiations with Pyongyang "the best path forward."

"The U.S. has presented them an alternative of what the North Korean future could look like if they would sit down and negotiate with us and come to an agreement on that policy goal we've outlined," Esper said.

He noted the U.S. State Department has been leading negotiations with the North, adding it's his department's role to support the talks.

Dialogue has been stalled between the Washington and Pyongyang since the summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un ended without a deal in Hanoi in February last year.