Amid a deepening nuclear crisis, the United States and both Koreas have expressed tentative interest in renewing diplomatic efforts. Next week’s start of U.S.-South Korean military exercises that enrage the North each year could make diplomacy even more difficult. South Korean President Moon Jae-in, meanwhile, a liberal who favours diplomacy, urged North Korea to stop provocations and to commit to talks over its nuclear weapons program. People familiar with the contacts who spoke on condition of anonymity say discussions have addressed deteriorating relations and three Americans detained in North Korea. North Korea also is angry about new United Nations sanctions over its nuclear and missile development.

Source: thestar August 15, 2017 15:56 UTC