The United States has declined to comment on controversy surrounding North Korea's expression of regret in the inter-Korean agreement.
 
U.S. State Department Spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday at a regular news briefing that what's important is that the two Koreas reached an agreement.
 
The spokesman added that it would be inappropriate for the U.S. State Department to characterize the difference between the word “regret” and “apology.”
 
He said that the agreement has produced an opportunity for tensions to be decreased, adding the U.S. will continue to monitor how the agreement is carried out.
 
U.S. Defense Department Press Secretary Peter Cook also said that North Korea has been detected to be taking steps to ease tensions on land and at sea following the agreement.