The U.S. State Department said on Wednesday that the United States has no hostile intent toward North Korea, repeating that it's ready to meet without any preconditions.

A department spokesperson issued the position in response to an inquiry by Seoul-based Yonhap News. The spokesperson said in an email that the U.S. harbors no hostile intent toward the North.

They added that the U.S. is prepared to meet with Pyongyang without preconditions and hopes the North will respond positively to the U.S.' outreach. 

The remarks came after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said in a speech that the Biden administration maintains a hostile policy against the North and its offer of dialogue and diplomatic engagement is just a disguise.

The spokesperson said U.S. policy calls for a calibrated, practical approach that is open to and will explore diplomacy with Pyongyang to make concrete progress that increases the security of the United States, its allies, and its deployed forces.