(Yonhap Interview) U.S. diplomat stresses 'clear,' 'open' commitment to N.K. denuclearization goal

▲ In this file photo, Deputy State Department spokesperson Mignon Houston speaks during an interview with Yonhap News Agency at the department in Washington, D.C., on July 18, 2025. (Yonhap)

(Yonhap Interview) US official-N Korea

(Yonhap Interview) U.S. diplomat stresses 'clear,' 'open' commitment to N.K. denuclearization goal

By Song Sang-ho and Lee Ji-heon

WASHINGTON/NEW YORK, Sept. 24 (Yonhap) -- A State Department official on Wednesday highlighted the United States' "open" and "clear" commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea, although Pyongyang has signaled openness to engaging with the U.S. if Washington drops its demand for denuclearization.

During an interview with Yonhap News Agency, Mignon Houston, the department's deputy spokesperson, also said an immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump's administration "does not change" the Seoul-Washington relationship, as she touched on the recent raid at a South Korean battery plant site in Georgia.

"This administration has said on numerous occasions from the start that our commitment is to a complete denuclearization of North Korea, that launches of ballistic missiles ... (and) an ambition for weapons of mass destruction is in direct violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions," she said.

"That we want to see an Indo-Pacific that reduces military tensions, that is free, fair, open, prosperous for its citizens, and we have been very vocal on this."

She added that the U.S. remains committed to being "open" and "clear" about its denuclearization commitment regarding the recalcitrant regime.

Her remarks came as North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has recently indicated his intent for conditional dialogue with Washington, noting that he personally has a "good" memory of Trump -- a statement that raised hopes for the resumption of summitry between Trump and Kim.

Trump has voiced his hope to meet Kim this year, raising speculation that he could seek to meet Kim when he visits South Korea to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit set to take place in the southeastern city of Gyeongju on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

Trump's personal diplomacy with Kim led to three in-person meetings between them -- in Singapore in June 2018, in Hanoi in February 2019 and at the inter-Korean truce village of Panmunjom in June 2019.

Commenting on the Sept. 4 immigration raid that led to the arrest of more than 310 South Koreans, Houston said it would not undermine the bilateral relationship, but stressed that U.S. immigration laws should be abided by.

"Not just with South Korea, but across the board ... we are taking active (immigration policy) steps to ensure companies are doing things the right way. This has nothing to do (with the bilateral ties)," she said.

"This does not change our relationship with South Korea. We have a long-standing partnership with South Korea. They are the linchpin of prosperity in the region, and we are very honored and grateful for the partnership."

U.S. immigration authorities arrested the South Korean workers in the raid, saying they were found to be working illegally in the U.S., including those on short-term or recreational visas that bar them from working. They were released from detention on Sept. 11.

The raid has triggered public outcry in Korea as U.S. immigration authorities released video footage of the workers being shackled and handcuffed, while questions have arisen over U.S. credibility as a reliable investment destination.

Apparently mindful of negative reactions from Korea, Houston pointed out that Washington wants a "renewed" interest in foreign direct investment in the U.S.

"But we also have to see proof that our immigration laws will be respected and that they will be followed," she said.

Asked to comment on U.S. priorities for the South Korea-U.S. partnership, Houston said that Washington hopes to see economic and investment opportunities.

"We want to be able to see global supply chains that are trusted to increase opportunities to just see the leadership of this region and focus on the leadership of this region," she said.

She also highlighted that the U.S. wants to see South Korea and Japan play a leadership role for regional security and other issues.

"We want to see an Indo-Pacific that has stability and prosperity for citizens, but also continue to serve as a leader," she said.

"These are great economic powerhouses, South Korea and Japan ... their economies, their expertise ... leveraging these great countries to help build not only security and reduce military tensions in the Indo-Pacific, but around the world is where we are going next."

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