Article snippet: TOKYO — US national security adviser John Bolton on Saturday called a series of short-range missile tests by North Korea earlier this month a violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and said sanctions must be kept in place. Washington’s position on the North’s denuclearization is consistent and a repeated pattern of failures to rid North Korea of nuclear weapons should be stopped, Bolton said, defending the recent US seizure of a North Korean cargo ship. The US, however, is willing to resume talks with North Korea at any time, Bolton said. Bolton was speaking to reporters in Tokyo ahead of President Trump’s arrival for a four-day visit to Japan. North Korea tested short-range ballistic missiles on May 4 and 9, ending a pause in launches that began in late 2017. The tests are seen as a way of pressuring Washington to compromise without actually causing the negotiations to collapse. ‘‘U.N. Security Council resolutions prohibit North Korea from firing any ballistic missiles,’’ Bolton said. ‘‘In terms of violating U.N. Security Council resolutions, there is no doubt about that.’’ Trump and other officials have played down the significance of the missile tests. During his visit, Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will ‘‘talk about making sure the integrity of the Security Council resolutions are maintained,’’ Bolton said. The two leaders are also expected to discuss Iran, as well as trade and the bilateral security alliance, after playing golf and wa... Link to the full article to read more