US Seeks China’s Support in Denuclearizing North, South Korea - Official

The US government hopes to use its upcoming bilateral security dialogue with China to increase pressure on North Korea to negotiate the denuclearization of the entire Korean peninsula, US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Russel told reporters on Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The aim of UN Security Council economic sanctions imposed on the Pyongyang government was, "Not to bring North Korea to its knees, but to its senses," Russel stated.

"What we are looking for is agreement to negotiate the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula, Russel stated in a briefing. "We have a vastly better chance of getting there with China's full cooperation."

Russel also noted that China had been the co-author with the United States in the UN Security Council of some of the toughest economic sanctions that had ever been imposed on North Korea.

The eighth session of the US-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue is scheduled to be held in Beijing, China, in early June, according to the State Department.