US open to North Korea talks

Sanctions on North Korea won't end until the rogue state begins to dismantle its nuclear program, say vice president Mike Pence.

The United States is open to talks with North Korea in order to convey US policy regarding Pyongyang's nuclear program, US vice president Mike Pence says, noting that such talks would not equate negotiations.

Pence, speaking in an interview with the Axios news media outlet on Wednesday, said the United States would continue to intensify diplomatic and economic pressure on North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, but that sanctions would not be lifted until its nuclear program was abandoned.