"Our understanding is that there is a meeting taking place between North Korea and the Swedes … We are not sending any representation," Nauert told reporters.
Media earlier reported that Sweden could become a potential venue for a high-level North Korea-US summit.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry confirmed earlier in the day that North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho would be in Stockholm on March 15-16 and would hold talks with his Swedish counterpart Margot Wallstrom.
Ri Yong Ho will meet with Sweden’s top diplomat Margot Wallstrom to exchange views on issues of mutual concern, according to the KCNA news agency.
Sweden has been reportedly touted as a potential venue for the upcoming US-North Korea summit. US President Donald Trump last week agreed to discuss Korean denuclearization with Kim Jon Un by May.
After South Korea’s high-ranking delegation visit to North Korea on March 5-6, Kim expressed his willingness to hold talks with the US president. Trump accepted the invitation to meet with Kim by the end of May.
Nauert said the White House is leading the initiative to meet with the North Korean leader, but the State Department is helping with logistics. No date has been set for the meeting yet, she added.
Meanwhile, Sweden has an embassy in Pyongyang, which also represents US interests in North Korea. The Swedish embassy provides consular services to citizens of both countries.
