The U.S.’s top envoy for North Korea on Friday said his country remains committed to direct diplomacy with North Korea, wrapping up a trip to East Asia aimed at coordinating policy with counterparts in the region.

Stephen Biegun, who serves as both the U.S. deputy secretary of state and U.S. special representative for North Korea, held meetings in Tokyo with Japanese officials, after similar meetings earlier this week in Seoul.

“In his meetings, Deputy Secretary Biegun emphasized continued U.S. readiness to engage in dialogue with the DPRK,” said the State Department in a press release Friday.

The statement added that