Top U.S. envoy to Seoul: Too early to end 1950-53 Korean War

Aug. 2 (UPI) -- New U.S. Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris said there must be "demonstrable moves" from North Korea toward denuclearization before any declaration of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War is made between the two sides.

Harris, who held a news conference for local media on Thursday at the U.S. ambassador's residence, is making his views known only a few weeks after arriving in South Korea.

"One of the things that hasn't happened is the demonstrable moves toward denuclearization before we can entertain something like the end-of-war declaration," Harris said, according to Yonhap.

"I think for the denuclearization to happen, we need to see the move and I haven't seen that yet."

EDaily reported the top U.S. envoy to Seoul said that hasty measures are not the answer.

If the United States and its allies move too quickly and make irreversible moves, then fail, such results will only benefit Kim Jong Un, Harris said.

But Harris also said a declaration to the end of war is within the realm of possibility.

The U.S. ambassador also expressed skepticism regarding North Korea's dismantling of the Punggye-ri nuclear test site and the missile site at Tongchang-ri.

Whether the images are proof of dismantlement requires investigation, Harris said, according to EDaily.

The ambassador added a good starting point would be a North Korea list of nuclear facilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump has continued to tout progress on North Korea.

"Thank you to Chairman Kim Jong Un for keeping your word & starting the process of sending home the remains of our great and beloved missing fallen! I am not at all surprised that you took this kind action. Also, thank you for your nice letter -- l look forward to seeing you soon!" the president tweeted late Wednesday.