US finds North Korean readiness for talks ‘encouraging’

WASHINGTON: The United States said on Thursday (Sep 12) it was encouraged by North Korea's stated willingness to resume negotiations but criticised its latest firing of projectiles as counter-productive.

"It was an encouraging sign that they would like to return to negotiations and that's something we welcome," State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus told reporters.

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"We're committed to talking and negotiating with the North Koreans," she said.

North Korea earlier this week said that it was willing to sit down with the US side for "comprehensive discussions" by the end of the month.

But within hours North Korea resumed firing projectiles, including what leader Kim Jong Un called a test of a "super-large multiple rocket launcher."

READ: North Korea carried out 'super-large multiple rocket launcher' test on Tuesday: KCNA

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"The United States – and, I think importantly, the international community as well – we have been united in sending the message to North Korea that provocations like the missile launches are not helpful and that we want the North Koreans to return to negotiations to achieve denuclearisation," Ortagus said.

President Donald Trump has met three times with Kim and has rep