The U.S. State Department says Washington remains committed to engaging with North Korea despite recent statements coming out of Pyongyang dismissing such prospects.
Department spokesman Ned Price reiterated on Tuesday that the U.S. hopes the North will respond positively to its overtures for dialogue.
Price added that American officials are continuously looking for ways to strengthen cooperation with Seoul for the end goal of the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
The remarks came hours after state media reported that the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said the U.S. had "wrong" expectations for dialogue and was facing "disappointment."
Kim Yo-jong also dismissed the possibility for an early resumption of negotiations.
On Monday, Sung Kim, the top U.S. envoy on North Korea affairs, said during a five-day visit to Seoul that Washington was ready to meet with Pyongyang "anywhere, anytime, without preconditions."