A senior U.S. government official says the U.S. is willing to start a new chapter in its relations with North Korea if the North takes denuclearization steps and improves its ties with South Korea.

U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Kurt Campbell made the statement during a meeting organized by the Washington-based think tank, Stimson Center, on Thursday. He said the U.S. had clearly conveyed such a stance to the North via both official and unofficial channels.

Campbell said Washington is currently focused on determining if any developments have been made within the North.

He added the U.S. will continue to work closely with South Korea and Japan to address issues related to North Korea. Campbell said it is noteworthy that all neighboring countries responded cautiously during the month following North Korean leader Kim Jong-il’s death.