'North Korea Should Be More Realistic'

Shouldn't the U.S. have had bilateral talks with North Korea previously?

The South Korean government has been asking the U.S. to engage in bilateral talks with the North. The U.S. government's position is not to directly engage with North Korea on bilateral issues except within the framework of the six-party talks.

Isn't this a mistake?

I would not characterize it. That's American policy.

Do you see a way to go back to negotiations and to stop North Korea from conducting further tests, or will North Korea test again in reaction to the U.N. sanctions?

I think North Korea should be more realistic. Considering the economic and political difficulty they are facing, they should have taken a wiser path.

Is there hope that you can deal with a regime like North Korea's?

The Security Council resolution is primarily [focused] on taking sanctions against North Korea, [but] in the resolution there is a paragraph leaving the door open for North Korea to come to the dialogue table. We need a two-pronged approach. While we take a very strong and stern message and deliver it to North Korea, at the same time we need to leave some room for negotiations so as not to escalate the situation.

Do you worry that North Korea may feel so isolated that they'll pursue a closer alliance with Iran and Pakistan?

There is a concern about the proliferation of materials relating to weapons of mass destruction and nuclear materials and missiles. . . . There were some dealings and cooperation between A.Q. Khan of Pakistan and North Korea. It's my understanding that at this time they don't have such close cooperation.

Do you regard the "sunshine policy" as a failure?

I don't think it's a total failure. The philosophy and objective of engagement is a good one. If we have to blame someone, it's North Korea. We have been trying to help North Korea in humanitarian matters and exchanges and cooperation. . . . But the testing of nuclear weapons was a total display of disrespect to our goodwill.