The United States' special representative for North Korea policy says that Washington's 60-day plan for dialogue still stands.
 
Joseph Yun made the remark on Thursday to reporters after delivering a lecture at an event in Washington jointly hosted by the Korea Foundation and George Washington University's Institute of Korean Studies.
 
He was referring to a plan he revealed late October. According to that plan, if North Korea halts nuclear and missile testing for about 60 days, that would be the signal the U.S. needs to resume direct dialogue with Pyongyang.
 
Yun told reporters on Thursday that "60 days or any number of days" would be a good first step for North Korea to stop testing nuclear devices and missiles
 
However, Yun said that there has not been "real progress on diplomatic engagement," which leaves no choice but to continue what he called "pressure policies," meaning economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation.

If the North wants to restart talks, Yun said it would have to prove such intentions. He said it must halt testing for a period of time, in order to "open some space for dialogue."
 

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