N Korea halting talks with US until election is over

North Korea has halted talks with the United States until the results of the US presidential election in November are known, Russia's ambassador to Pyongyang told news agencies yesterday.

President Donald Trump has met North Korean leader Kim Jong Un three times at historic summits and voiced admiration for him, although hopes of striking a comprehensive agreement have faded.

"As for dialogue with Washington, which they deem to be pointless for now, it seems to have been postponed at least until after the US presidential election," Ambassdaor Alexander Matsegora told Interfax news agency in an interview.

"They shall see what happens next," he said.

North Korea has fired off a series of rockets as it demands concessions from the Trump administration, which says that international sanctions should remain until the regime fully denuclearizes.