The presidential office says it believes that the U.S. and North Korea appear to be keen on securing the upper hand in their negotiations on the North’s denuclearization. 

Presidential Spokesman Kim Eui-kyeom told reporters on Monday that the two sides apparently are not willing to give in on the issue. 

His remarks came amid reports that following U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s visit to Pyongyang, differences between the U.S. and North Korea have widened on ways to denuclearize the regime. 

Kim explained that the high-level talks Pompeo held with Kim Yong-chol, vice chairman of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party, were only the first working-level talks on how to implement agreements reached during the U.S.-North Korea summit held last month. 

On no agreement being produced between the two sides on declaring the end of the Korean War, Kim said the top office believes the two countries are in a process of seeking common ground on the matter.

[Photo : YONHAP News]