U.S. TO SEEK DIALOGUE WITH NOKOR DESPITE NEGATIVE RESPONSE

The United States will continue to seek dialogue with Pyongyang over its nuclear program, a State Department spokesman said Tuesday, after North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister tamped down US expectations for an early resumption of talks, Kyodo News reported.

"We remain prepared to engage in principal negotiations with the DPRK to deal with the challenge of its nuclear program," Ned Price told a conference call, using the acronym of North Korea's formal name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Price made the remarks in response to a statement Tuesday by Kim Yo Jong, also a close aide to the North Korean leader, that US expectations for bilateral talks could bring "disappointment."

"When it comes to the comments you mentioned emanating from North Korea, we've seen them; we're aware of them. They have not changed our view on diplomacy," the spokesman said.

He also reiterated a US offer "to meet anywhere, anytime without preconditions," adding that Washington continues "to hope that the DPRK will respond positively to our outreach."

The exchange of responses started after North Korean state-run media Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Friday that Kim Jong Un has pledged to prepare for both "dialogue and confrontation" with the administration of US President Joe Biden.

WEEKLY FEATURE : PAL READY TO SOAR WITH PANDEMIC