The US on Monday called on North Korea to stop all threats by launching another nuclear test, and dismantle its rockets as outlined in three resolutions adopted by the UN.
The demand follows comments from North Korea that if the US halted its military exercises with the South, the North would also halt its latest nuclear test.
"The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) statement that inappropriately linked routine US-Republic of Korea exercises to the possibility of a nuclear test by North Korea is an implicit threat," State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf told reporters.
"A new nuclear test would be a clear violation of North Korea's obligations under multiple UN Security Council resolutions. It would also contravene North Korea's commitments under the 2005 six-party joint statement" which was intended to end the DPRK's nuclear program through negotiations with power players in the region, she affirmed.
"Our annual joint military exercises with the Republic of Korea are transparent, defense oriented, and have been carried our regularly and open for roughly 40 years. We call on the DPRK to immediately cease all threats, reduce tensions, and take the steps toward denuclearization needed to resume credible negotiations," Harf stressed. "And we do remain open to dialogue with the DPRK, as we said, with the aim of returning to these credible and authentic negotiations." The US currently has more than 28,000 soldiers deployed in South Korea, and heavily patrols the surrounding waters.