The U.S. on Thursday denied reports by Seoul’s Yonhap News Agency suggesting Washington was considering a temporary suspension of some sanctions on the DPRK in exchange for a nuclear freeze and other concessions.

In comments delivered during a regular briefing to press, State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus told reporters she had discussed the report with U.S. Special Representative Stephen Biegun and that he had denied the claims.

Yonhap’s reporting claimed that the U.S. was considering offering the DPRK a 12-18 month suspension of certain sectoral sanctions should the North dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear facility and freeze nuclear development.

Citing unnamed sources, the