South Korea: North Korea open to talks with US

South Korea said on Sunday that North Korea is receptive to taking part in discussions with the United States.

Reuters reported that a delegation from North Korea told its southern neighbor that progress in the countries’ relationship should coincide with improvements in the relationship between Washington and Pyongyang.  

South Korea’s presidential office said that North Korea has “ample intentions of holding talks with the United States,” according to The Associated Press.

{mosads}Earlier this month, North Korea reportedly invited its southern neighbor to discussions in Pyongyang for the first time in more than 10 years. Athletes from the two nations also marched together during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. {mosads}

The Trump administration last week announced a new set of sweeping sanctions against North Korea that are aimed at Pyongyang’s maritime activities.

The move came after a year of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula over the north’s nuclear ambitions.