Japan, US reaffirm need to resolve DPRK nuclear issue

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The top US diplomat for East Asia says it's not too late for the DPRK to return to "responsible negotiations."

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian  and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell, right, is welcomed  by Japanese vice Foreign Minister Mitoji Yabunaka  before their meeting at Foreign Ministry in Tokyo,  Japan, Friday, July 17, 2009.(AP Photo/Itsuo Inouye)

Kurt Campbell, the Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and Pacific Affairs, made the comment in Tokyo after meeting Japanese Foreign Minister Hirofumi Nakasone. Two months ago, the DPRK raised tensions in the region by carrying out its second nuclear test.

President of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the DPRK, Kim Yong Nam, said on Wednesday the country isn't ready to resume nuclear disarmament talks. He said the US and its allies do not respect the DPRK's sovereignty.