US sets bar higher for N Korea talks

The United States said that North Korea's recent actions have risen the bar for a resumption of dialogue as it called on Pyongyang to address concerns on weapons but also human rights.
Glyn Davies, the US pointman on North Korea policy, said the United States was exasperated with Pyongyang after it snubbed attempts by President Barack Obama's administration to reach out in 2009 and again in 2012.
However, North Korea yesterday made a fresh vow to build up its nuclear deterrent in the face of "threats of war" from the United States and a "policy of confrontation" from the South.
An editorial in Pyongyang's ruling party daily, the Rodong Sinmun, said "reckless" war exercises by the US and South Korea could spark a nuclear war at any moment.
"As long as the United States and South Korean puppets continue with nuclear threats and threats of war against us, we will... strengthen nuclear deterrence through every possible means," it said.
The two Koreas had agreed to hold their first high-level talks in six years in Seoul on Wednesday and Thursday, but they were called off at the last minute following a dispute over protocol.