U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Tuesday that Washington is willing to begin talks with North Korea without preconditions.
 
Tillerson made the remark on Tuesday during a forum hosted by U.S. think tank Atlantic Council in Washington.
 
[Sound bite: U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson]
"We're ready to talk whenever North Korea is ready to talk and we're willing to have a first meeting without preconditions. We can talk about the weather if you want."
 
He added that he doesn't think it's realistic to say the U.S. will talk only if the North agrees to give up its weapons programs. 
 
Tillerson did also say, however, that North Korea has to come to the table "with a view they want to make a different choice" on its weapons programs. 
 
It's the first time the U.S. secretary of state has expressed willingness to talk to the North without preconditions. 
 
Tillerson has previously expressed a desire to use channels of communication with Pyongyang, but U.S. President Donald Trump has told him he would be wasting his time.

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