“North Korean nuclear tests will stop if dialogue restarts”

North Korea will stop its nuclear tests as soon as they return to the negotiating table, believes Georgy Toloraya, Research Director on Korea at the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Pyongyang claims it is open to new dialogue to resolve tensions over its atomic weapons programme, but the country’s Foreign Ministry has made it clear that it will not return to Six-Party Talks aimed at ending its nuclear ambitions.

North Korea quit the multi-lateral talks, which included Russia and the US, after the United Nations imposed tough sanctions following the state’s nuclear and missile tests.

Pyongyang says the penalties violate its sovereignty. It also warned those supporting the sanctions “will not help to ease existing tension”.

North Korea has yet to elaborate on what form any new dialogue might take.