The U.S. has been working hard over the past year to engage with North Korea on denuclearization — but Pyongyang has shown no interest, said Victor Cha, senior vice president for Asia and Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
"We can't simply assume that because the United States wants to talk, North Korea will come to the table," Cha told CNBC's "Squawk Box Asia" on Tuesday.
The two countries have long been sparring over North Korea's nuclear threats and actions toward South Korea for years.
Early Wednesday, North Korea fired two short-range ballistic missiles eastward, hours after a U.S. nuclear-armed submarine docked in South Korea — the first in decades.
It was North Korea's first long-range missile test since April, and was deemed to be triggered by alleged U.S. spy plane incursions.
Persons:
Victor Cha, Cha, CNBC's
Organizations:
U.S, North, Center for Strategic, International Studies, South Korea —
Locations:
North Korea, Pyongyang, Asia, Korea, United States, South Korea, North, U.S