He said it is crucial to find out North Korea’s true intention behind its moves and pointed to bilateral cooperation as key to the task. 

Ambassador Cho Yoon-je told reporters a day before embarking on his scheduled visit to the US that the goal of strong pressure and sanctions is to bring Pyongyang to dialogue. The United Nations Security Council slapped a fresh set of sanctions against the North after it conducted its sixth and largest nuclear test in September.

The same day, US Defense Secretary James Mattis said the international community and the US are making efforts to seek a peaceful solution to the Korean nuclear crisis. Mattis made the remarks on his way to Thailand after attending the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting Plus in the Philippines.