U.S. envoy in S. Korea amid Pyongyang pressure
Stephen Biegun, the U.S. special envoy for North Korea, arrived in South Korea on Sunday as Pyongyang stepped up pressure on Washington to make concessions to revive stalled denuclearization talks ahead of a year-end deadline.
Biegun's arrival came a day after North Korea said it made another "crucial test" at a rocket launch site to develop a strategic weapon to deter U.S. nuclear threats.
Analysts said such tests could help North Korea build more reliable intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the U.S.
Biegun plans to meet with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Monday as part of his three-day stay.
His trip led to speculation he might try to salvage negotiations by reaching out to North Korea, but it is unclear whether he will do so - or if his presence will send a message to the North.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and U.S. President Donald Trump met three times since last year to negotiate an end to Pyongyang's nuclear and missile programs, but there has been little progress.
North Korea has vowed to take an unspecified "new path" if the U.S. fails to address its demands before the end of the year.
