Washington must pursue the “complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization” (CVID) of North Korea in line with its policy of strengthening ties with Seoul, the nominee to be the next U.S. ambassador to South Korea said Thursday.

Speaking at his Senate confirmation hearing, Philip Goldberg pledged to consult closely with allies South Korea and Japan to improve “deterrence” against the DPRK’s nuclear and missile threats.

“My primary responsibility will be to strengthen the alliance and deterrence and to take other steps to try to convince the North Koreans to return to negotiations, and working very closely with the new president-elect’s government,”