Our top story this morning...
Washington's top envoy on North Korea has confirmed that all options remain on the table in regards to solving the North Korean nuclear crisis.
However,... he says the Trump administration is not close to triggering military action against the regime.
Our Park Jong-hong tells us more.
The U.S. pointman on North Korea says he believes Washington is not close to taking military action against North Korea.
However,... Japan's Kyodo News reports that Joseph Yun didn't rule out the possibility,... saying all options are on the table.
The special envoy told reporters in Tokyo on Thursday that the U.S. dialogue channel with North Korea remains open and he urged Pyongyang to directly show its intent to stop missile launches and nuclear tests.
In regard to the recent inter-Korean dialogue ahead of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, Yun welcomed the developments,... hailing them as highly significant.
The special envoy expressed hope it was a signal of things to come but said any talks with Washington would have to "be about steps North Korea would take toward denuclearization".
Yun is slated to meet with his Japanese counterpart Kenji Kanasugi on Tuesday in Tokyo to discuss North Korea issues, including ways to prevent the regime from circumventing UN sanctions.
In the meantime, Russia has voiced its support for South Korea's efforts to improve ties with North Korea.
Seoul's Foreign Ministry said the endorsement came from Moscow's top nuclear envoy Igor Morgulov in his meeting on Thursday with Lee Do-hoon, special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs.
They agreed to cooperate to make the current "positive" momentum lead to contacts between the U.S. and North Korea and the eventual resolution of the North's nuclear issues.
They reaffirmed that the nuclear issue should be resolved peacefully and Seoul and Moscow maintain a close level of communication at various levels.
Park Jong-hong, Arirang News.