U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says he is "skeptical" about the outcome of the latest round of direct U.S. talks with North Korea aimed at resuming stalled nuclear disarmament negotiations.
Panetta expressed his reservations to reporters Thursday after holding talks with South Korean officials in Seoul. He said Pyongyang remains "a serious threat" by engaging in provocations "that target innocent lives," and in its continued pursuit of nuclear weapons in defiance of the international community.
Panetta's comments came hours after U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell told reporters in Seoul progress was made in the recent talks, but added "there were no breakthroughs."
Campbell made an unannounced stop in Seoul to brief his counterparts on the second round of direct talks between American and North Korean officials in Geneva.