North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said this week that tensions with the United States could increase if America does not become more flexible in talks between the two countries.
North Korean and U.S. negotiators have reached an impasse on the issues of sanctions against North Korea and North Korean denuclearization.
North Korea’s position is that sanctions must be removed before it will consider giving up any nuclear weapons. The United States insists upon denuclearization preceding any easing of sanctions.
Kim’s call for a more flexible American attitude came after a Thursday meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the Pacific port city of Vladivostok.