The former head of the Korea desk at the State Department says North Korea does not seem to be ready to abandon its nuclear ambitions.

In an interview with the Voice of America, David Straub also said that if the six-way nuclear talks reopen, the North is likely to seek the adoption of a peace treaty. Meanwhile, he said Washington is expected to adhere to its policy of “strategic patience” and seek to further strengthen its alliance with South Korea.

On the planned U.S.-China summit talks that will open in Washington later this month, Straub said North Korean issues could be part of the discussions. However, he said it is unlikely that the summit would lead to changes in China’s position on Pyongyang, as Beijing remains lukewarm on sanctioning the North.

Straub, who worked with the State Department for 25 years, is the current associate director of the Korean Studies Program at Stanford University's Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center.