U.S. envoy Biegun says the United States did not request meeting with North Korea

While meeting with South Korean counterparts in Seoul on Wednesday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun rejected reports that he was seeking to meet with North Korean officials during this week's visit. Biegun's visit had sparked speculation of a last-ditch effort to try to revive stalled denuclearization talks ahead of the U.S. presidential election in November.

South Korean chief nuclear negotiator said that Biegun had reaffirmed that the United States was willing to be flexible and reach a balanced agreement if North Korea resumed talks. Talks with South Korean officials covered a range of issues, including coronavirus responses and ongoing negotiations over military cost-sharing, but North Korea dominated the agenda, Seoul officials said.