US says 'bar higher' for dialogue with N. Korea

The United States says North Korea's recent actions have risen the bar for a resumption of dialogue, and it called on Pyongyang to address concerns on weapons but also human rights.

North Korea engaged in some of its most fiery rhetoric in years after conducting its third nuclear test in February, but tensions have since eased with attempts - ultimately unsuccessful - to restart talks with South Korea.

Glyn Davies, the US State Department's special representative for North Korea policy, said Washington was exasperated with Pyongyang after it snubbed attempts by President Barack Obama's administration to reach out in 2009 and again in 2012.

"The United States will not accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state. We will not reward the DPRK for the absence of bad behaviour," Davies said, using the official name of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

"Nor will we tolerate North Korea provoking its neighbours. These positions will not change," he said in Washington.

Davies repeated US calls on North Korea to take steps to end its nuclear-weapons programme in line with previous agreements - and said that this year's crisis increased Washington's hesitancy to engage again.

"We've long made clear that we are open to improved relations with the DPRK if it is willing to take concrete actions to live up to its international obligations and commitments - though given the events of this past year, the bar for a resumption of meaningful engagement is now certainly higher."