The United States is "open to diplomacy" with North Korea's new leadership, but it must improve ties with its neighbor South Korea to have better relations with the U.S., a senior American diplomat said on Wednesday.
Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell, Washington's top diplomat for Asia, also said North Korea should take the necessary steps before any resumption of the stalled Six-party talks aimed at the North's nuclear disarmament in exchange for aid.
"We are open to diplomacy with North Korea," Campbell told reporters in Seoul after meeting with senior South Korean officials, including Lim Sung-nam, Seoul's chief envoy to the Six-party talks.
"But there's a very clear set of steps that we think are necessary. The steps have been closely coordinated with Japan and particularly with South Korea and we're still waiting to see whether the new government in North Korea is prepared to take the necessary steps," he was quoted as saying by the South's Yonhap news agency.
During Campbell's talks with South Korean officials, the two sides reaffirmed that "a path is open to North Korea towards the resumption of talks and improved relations with the United States and the Republic of Korea (South Korea) through dialog."
"We also underscored again very clearly that the road to these improved relations runs through Seoul for North Korea," Campbell said.
During a speech, Campbell, who arrived in Seoul on Tuesday as part of an Asia tour, urged North Korea to improve ties with the South, and expressed confidence that the Seoul-Washington military alliance could deter any provocation from the North.
"There is hope in diplomacy and that hope in diplomacy rests in the reality of a very strong deterrence and military commitment that will be unwavering," he said. About 28,500 U.S. troops are currently stationed in South Korea.
The international community is keenly watching the North's untested new leader Kim Jong-un who took over the Communist regime after the death of his father Kim Jong-il in December. The young leader, believed to be in his late 20s, was made a four-star General and a key member of the ruling party.
Tension remains high on the Korean Peninsula after two deadly North Korean attacks in 2010 that killed 50 South Koreans.
Last year, diplomatic efforts to restart the Six-party talks gained momentum, but the death of Kim has left prospects for resumption of the talks more uncertain. The talks, which involve the two Koreas, China, Japan, Russia and the U.S., remain stalled since late 2008.
China, the North's key ally, has reportedly decided to provide 500,000 tons of food and 250,000 tons of crude oil to the impoverished Communist neighbor following the death of Kim.
Asked about the reported Chinese move, Campbell said "we have had discussions with Chinese friends about developments in North Korea and their line has been the desire to see maintenance of peace and stability."
"I think we believe that they have taken steps to underscore their commitment to the transition in power in North Korea. And those steps might include further provision of assistance given the circumstances in North Korea," he said.
"Frankly, it's an evolving situation, we're watching it closely and we want to continue a close dialog with China, we want them to share with us more of their perspectives and their plans and I think that's an issue South Korea and the United States share very similar views on," Campbell said.
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June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.