A former ambassador to the United States says Washington is placing top priority on blocking North Korea’s proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Han Seung-joo told reporters in Washington Tuesday that though the U.S. continues to seek full nuclear dismantlement by the North, in reality it aims to curb Pyongyang’s further production of nuclear arms and export of nuclear materials.

Han pointed to the February 13th nuclear agreement which he said focuses on urging Pyongyang to freeze all of its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon.

Han said that China also seems to share the view that it is more realistic to pursue the freezing of North Korea’s nuclear facilities rather than full nuclear dismantlement.