Meanwhile, the White House has said any talks must lead to an end to Pyongyang's nuclear program.
It said such talks could lead to a "brighter path" for the DPRK. This comes after the US announced it was imposing its largest package of sanctions against the DPRK. The White House said its sanctions would continue. It said the US will see whether Pyongyang's willingness to hold talks represents the first steps along the path to denuclearization.