WASHINGTON (Yonhap) -- The top U.S. diplomat on Asia said Thursday that his government and allies are still trying to figure out the policy direction of the new North Korean leadership.
Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell also admitted that the U.S. was not aware of the Dec. 17 death of the North's leader, Kim Jong-il, before the secretive regime's announcement two days later.
"There was a substantial period between his death and the public announcement which no one apparently knew that this had taken place, including some of the closest interlocutors in China," he told a group of experts and reporters at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank. "That should give us some humility as we watch the certain circumstances unfold in the North."
The lack of information, he said, makes it difficult for Washington to assess Pyongyang's intent.
"All I can say that it's probably too early to make any clear determinations about the ultimate character of this new leadership inside North Korea," he said.
He added the U.S is trying to "get a sense of what's taking place in terms of the secession and the potential policy priorities of the new government."
His remarks suggest that the U.S. will not rush to another round of high-level talks with the North. Just before Kim's death, the two sides reportedly came close to a deal on food aid and some initial steps by the North towards full-fledged dialogue.
Campbell, along with Glyn Davies, special representative for North Korea policy, hosted a trilateral meeting with the chief South Korean and Japanese nuclear negotiators earlier this week to discuss next steps on the North.
He reiterated that the U.S. is willing to start a new chapter to deal with North Korea's nuclear program and other outstanding issues if it is prepared to take the necessary steps on denuclearization and nonproliferation.
Campbell, however, emphasized that what is most important is an improvement in inter-Korean relations, which he described as the gateway to more fundamental re-engagement.
He pointed out that should the North again provoke the South, it would be hard for Seoul's conservative administration to show restraint, given domestic pressure.
"We understand that," he said.
Regarding the Obama administration's recent pivot on Asia, Campbell said the U.S. has been diversifying its relations with countries over the last couple of years, not simply focusing on a specific nation.
The U.S. government and political circles are especially encouraged by progress in Myanmar in efforts to tackle human rights violations and end military ties with North Korea, he added, although "more works need to be done."
"We have seen some assurances in this regard," he said.