The normalization of relations between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is "certainly possible," but it depends on Pyongyang's behaviors, said the U.S. State Department on July 22.
"If the North (Korea) returns to the table and takes steps to bring about a verifiable and irreversible end to its nuclear program, we would certainly look at a comprehensive approach to incentives and opportunities," said State Department spokesman Robert Wood at the daily press briefing.
"What I mean by that in terms of opportunities is a normalization of relations is certainly possible," said Wood, but stressing that "we're not going to reward the North for steps that it should have taken."
"The North has to show a commitment to denuclearization. And --but the North cannot be rewarded for the behavior that it's exhibited and has to address the concerns of the international community. Otherwise, we're not going to be able to move forward," said the spokesman.
