UNITED NATIONS — North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations said on Saturday that denuclearization is off the negotiating table with the United States and lengthy talks with Washington are not needed. Kim said in a statement that the “sustained and substantial dialog” sought by the United States was a “time-saving trick” to suit its domestic political agenda, a reference to U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2020 reelection bid. “We do not need to have lengthy talks with the U.S. now and denuclearization is already gone out of the negotiating table,” he said in the statement made available to Reuters. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned he could take an unspecified 'new path' next yearTensions have risen ahead of a year-end deadline set by North Korea, which has called on the United States to change its policy of demanding Pyongyang’s unilateral denuclearization and demanded relief from punishing sanctions. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned he could take an unspecified “new path” next year, raising fears this could mean a return to the nuclear bomb and long-range missile testing suspended since 2017.

Source: National Post December 07, 2019 16:52 UTC