Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong has advised the Joe Biden administration to provide detailed incentives it could offer to North Korea during face-to-face negotiations.

In an interview with the Washington Post(WP) on Thursday, Chung warned that should the status quo be left to continue, it will lead to the strengthening of North Korean missile capabilities, which is a grave concern for Seoul.

The minister cited distrust between Washington and Pyongyang and the North's self-imposed isolation amid the COVID-19 pandemic as two factors contributing to the stalled diplomacy.

Emphasizing that distrust cannot be overcome with a single stroke, Chung urged the Biden administration to spell out the "concrete things" it could offer, such as declaring a formal end to the Korean War.

An unnamed senior U.S. official, in response, told the Post that Washington has made specific proposals to Pyongyang, but they were met with a lack of response.

On North Korea's COVID-19 concerns, Chung said they have fueled its opposition to engagement, such as rejecting vaccine donations from the South and international community, likely due to a lack of medical infrastructure.