saying that Pyongyangs return to dialogue is in the common interest of Beijing as well as Seoul and Washington ― although experts remain skeptical of a possible Chinese engagement.

a state department spokesperson said Monday.We have made very clear that we will continue to hold the DPRK to account for its threat to stability and security in Northeast Asia and potentially well beyond.

including those authorities that are targeted at the DPRKs ballistic missile program.YonhapThe United States will not hesitate to impose sanctions on any individuals who support North Koreas illegal weapons development programs.the department press secretary said.

the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.referring to North Korea by its official name.

If there are individuals who are appropriate for the use of sanctions.

continues to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities.also pointed to Kims remarks at the recently concluded plenary meeting of the Norths ruling Workers Party that Pyongyang will exponentially increase the number of its nuclear arsenal.

The quest for dialogue with the North must never be made at the expense of the ability to respond to threats from the North.intelligence community assesses that KJU views nuclear weapons as the ultimate deterrent against foreign intervention.

we must recognize that hope alone is not a course of action.referring to the North Korean leader by his initials.