The U.S. ambassador nominee to Myanmar says Myanmar needs to sever ties with North Korea in order to normalize its diplomatic relations with the U.S.

Derek Mitchell made the remark during his confirmation hearing at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday.

Mitchell stressed that the U.S. has continuously expressed concerns over Myanmar’s lack of transparency and its military ties with North Korea.

He explained if he becomes ambassador, he will address those concerns with the Myanmar government with the utmost priority to see the Southeast Asian country sever its ties with North Korea.

Myanmar is suspected of cooperating with the North for its nuclear development efforts. Since the launch of Myanmar’s military government, the U.S. had not assigned an ambassador there for 22 years. But last month, U.S. President Barack Obama lifted some U.S. sanctions on Myanmar and nominated Mitchell who previously served as special envoy to Myanmar.