The U.S. has reiterated its willingness to meet with North Korea without preconditions and hoped for a positive response from Pyongyang.

In a virtual press briefing on Friday, State Department spokesman Ned Price said the U.S. goal is the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and it will continue to seek engagement with the North as part of a calibrated practical approach, in order to make tangible progress that increases security not only for the U.S., but also for allies and its deployed forces.

He stressed the U.S. has no hostile intent towards North Korea and is prepared to meet without preconditions, and hoped the regime would respond positively to its outreach.

Price also highlighted trilateral efforts with South Korea and Japan, saying that one of the primary topics of a three-way meeting held in New York this week was a common approach towards North Korea.

He said that to be effective, the U.S. needs to continue to be and work in lockstep with its partners in Seoul and Tokyo.

Price also expressed support for inter-Korean dialogue and engagement, saying it is a good thing, and added that the U.S. and South Korea continue to work closely on the broader agenda.

The North Korean leader's sister Kim Yo-jong earlier welcomed President Moon Jae-in's proposal to declare a formal end to the Korean War, but stressed that hostile policies against Pyongyang must first end.