A senior US intelligence official says North Korea is unlikely to completely give up its nuclear weapons.

Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats was testifying before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

He said this intelligence assessment is bolstered by observations of activity that is inconsistent with full denuclearization.

He also said the assessment indicates that North Korea will seek to retain its capability to produce weapons of mass destruction, and is unlikely to give up its nuclear weapons.

He added that the leaders of North Korea ultimately view nuclear weapons as critical to regime survival.

He pointed out that the US-led sanctions are effective and largely maintained. He said North Korea is seeking to mitigate their effects through diplomatic engagement.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in late February. He recently said that things are going very well with North Korea.

NHK