The United States has reiterated that it will not take part in talks with North Korea for the sake of talks and that the North will further isolate itself if it continues to engage in provocations.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs James Zumwalt echoed the U.S.' position during a hearing of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia and the Pacific in Washington on Wednesday.

Zumwalt said the U.S. “is prepared to engage constructively with North Korea, but its new leadership must understand that there will be no rewards for provocations and that engaging in provocative acts will only increase North Korea’s isolation and the hardships endured by its people.”

He added that “the path towards prosperity and security is for Pyongyang to live up to its international obligations and commitments.”