Delury recalled the six-party talks , when U.S. diplomats were trying to persuade the North Koreans to denuclearize . North Korea says its nuclear and ballistic missile programs are non - negotiable . The U.S. and South Korea say a way to dismantle those programs should be on the table . South Koreans may want nuclear weapons of their own , an idea that rankles China . China 's top priority is keeping Kim Jong Il 's regime from collapsing .
North Korea says its nuclear and ballistic missile programs are non - negotiable . The U.S. and South Korea say a way to dismantle those programs should be on the table . South Koreans may want nuclear weapons of their own , an idea that rankles China . China 's top priority is keeping Kim Jong Il 's regime from collapsing .