The United States government is urging North Korea to improve its relations with neighboring countries.

The call from the U.S. comes after North Korean state media criticized the Lee Myung-bak administration in its first communication regarding the South after the death of Kim Jong-il.

A U.S. State Department official said movements on the Korean Peninsula are being observed, and the U.S. and South Korean officials have been in close communication.

The official said the U.S. and South Korea share the same values in maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Ahead of this statement, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland recently said the U.S. wishes to continue talks with the North on food aid and future dialogue.