US secretary of State Tillerson calls for maximum pressure on North Korea

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has called for nations to step up the US-led maximum pressure campaign against North Korea by thwarting sanctions evasion and interdicting ships conducting illicit trade with the nation. 

Mr Tillerson said this in his opening remarks at the meeting on Canada's western coast attended by foreign ministers and senior diplomats of some 20 nations that assisted South Korea in the Korean War. Russia and China were not present at the summit. 

The US Secretary of State said, there is a need to increase the costs of North Korea's behaviour to the point



that it comes to the table for credible negotiations. The remarks came despite the recent diplomatic opening between North and South Korea after a year of escalating tensions.

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha said, the talks with North Korea, leading to its participation in next month's Olympics being hosted by the South, are a significant first step towards restoring inter-Korean relations. 

She, however, said despite the overtures, North Korea has yet to show any intention to fulfil its obligations on denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.