Washington: A White House official stated that the Biden administration has not recognized North Korea as a nuclear power, following the comments from President Donald Trump's nominee for defense secretary, who characterized Pyongyang with nuclear status. According to Yonhap News Agency, National Security Communications Advisor John Kirby addressed the issue after Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth described North Korea as a nuclear power in his written responses to the Senate Armed Services Committee before his confirmation hearing. Kirby clarified at a press meeting at the Foreign Press Center in Washington that the current administration's policy has not changed, and North Korea has not been recognized as a nuclear power. Kirby emphasized the outgoing administration's efforts to engage with North Korea "without preconditions" while strengthening cooperation with allies such as South Korea and Japan to counter North Korean threats. He pointed out that due to North Korea's continued provocations, the U .S. has increased its information, intelligence, and military capabilities on and around the Korean Peninsula. Addressing questions about Trump's potential efforts to resume dialogue with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, Kirby indicated that it would be up to the incoming president to decide. Regarding potential provocations by Pyongyang around Trump's inauguration day, Kirby declined to disclose intelligence assessments but assured that the situation is being monitored closely. Kirby defended the Biden administration's approach to North Korea, which has been marked by unsuccessful attempts to engage with the regime. He asserted that offering to sit down without preconditions and start a conversation with the Kim regime is a significant position to take.