U.S. envoy Biegun turns down Russia post to focus on North Korea denuclearization

U.S. envoy on North Korea Stephen Biegun said on Wednesday he will not take up the post of ambassador to Russia but will remain focused on making progress on the denuclearization of North Korea amid stalled negotiations. Biegun, in Seoul for talks with South Korean officials, said the United States is prepared to restart talks with North Korea as soon as North Korea is ready, in line with an agreement made by the two countries' leaders in June.

Biegun was under consideration to be U.S. President Donald Trump's next ambassador to Russia, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters last week.