A senior North Korean official says U.S. assistance for the victims of a deadly train explosion in the North would help enhance bilateral relations.

Han Song-ryol, deputy North Korean ambassador to the United Nations, made the remarks Tuesday during an interview with Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency. He said that Pyongyang recently agreed, through a New York dialogue channel between the two countries, to accept some 100,000 dollars in aid from the United States.

He was the first North Korean senior official to confirm Pyongyang's decision to accept the U.S. aid.

Han also expressed hope that dialogue between the two nations will be continued through various channels to discuss the U.S. aid for the victims.