The United States said Tuesday that denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula is the highest priority in its North Korea policy and pressed the communist country to give up its nuclear programs.

The close cooperation on Resolution 2270 adopted by the U.N.

Security Council, imposing the strongest sanctions yet on Pyongyang, demonstrated that South Korea and the U.S. are in "firm agreement" on dealing with threats posed by the North, the U.S.

Embassy said in a press release.

Last week, the U.N. adopted the resolution, including mandatory inspections of all cargo going into and out of North Korea. The U.S. blacklisted five North Korean entities, including the powerful National Defense Commission, and 11 North Korean individuals.

The U.S. said its position remained unchanged and was consistent with the 2005 Joint Statement reached at the now-suspended six-way talks.

In the 2005 statement, North Korea agreed to abandon its nuclear program in return for political and economic incentives from South Korea, the United States, China, Japan and Russia.

"We remain focused on robust implementation of UNSCR 2270 to make clear to Pyongyang that it must comply with its international obligations and relinquish its nuclear and ballistic missile programs," the U.S. said.

It urged North Korea to "engage in authentic and credible negotiations to denuclearize in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner." (Yonhap)