(VOVworld)- The United States, Japan and South Korea have called for "meaningful" steps on denuclearization by North Korea in exchange for closer ties. The US’s North Korea envoy Glyn Davies met with his counterparts from Japan, Shinsuke Sugiyama, and from South Korea, Cho Tea-young, on Wednesday in Washington. In a statement released by the US State Department following their talks, all sides agreed that a path is open for North Korea toward improved relations if the country takes meaningful steps towards denuclearization.

North Korea's nuclear issue triggers the world's concern. (Photo: dantri.com.vn)

They reaffirmed their commitment to the Joint Statement of the Six-Party Talks of September 19, 2005, including its core goal of the peaceful verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The trio emphasized that they will judge North Korea by its actions, not words. The desired steps would include the full implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, better inter-Korean relations, and the resolution of issue of the abduction of Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 1980s. The 3 countries will work closely with China, Russia, and other partners to settle North Korean related issues.