A North Korean diplomat has expressed disappointment after Washington rejected the North's offer of bilateral talks with chief U.S. nuclear negotiator Christopher Hill in Pyongyang.

North Korea’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations Han Sung-ryol said in a Friday telephone interview with KBS that the refusal reconfirmed Washington’s unwillingness to improve relations with Pyongyang, and projected that an early resumption of the six-party talks would not be forthcoming.

Han also said Hill had indicated his will to visit Pyongyang after the last round of six-party nuclear talks, but that hard-liners in Washington had apparently blocked the idea.

The North Korean envoy said that the resolution of the North’s nuclear standoff depends on whether Washington lifts its financial sanctions against Pyongyang. Han also urged the U.S. to free up North Korean assets that have been frozen at the Macao-based Banco Delta Asia.

Han added that his government will not abandon its nuclear weapons programs as long as Washington maintains its hostile policy towards the North.