The U.S. State Department has said it's North Korea's obligation to take meaningful actions toward denuclearization to achieve dialogue with the U.S.

In a briefing Wednesday local time, the department's acting spokesman Mark Toner said the U.S. remains open to talks with North Korea. The aim of dialogue, he said, would be to return to credible and authentic negotiations on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But Toner made it very clear the "onus is on North Korea" to take the proper steps.

Also regarding China's offer that the U.S. suspend its joint military exercises with South Korea in exchange for North Korea giving up its ballistic missile and nuclear program, the spokesman said the U.S. does not see it as a viable deal.

Toner said defense cooperation with South Korea is incomparable to the blatant disregard North Korea has shown with respect to international law. 

He defended the joint military exercises with Seoul as transparent, defense-oriented and a demonstration of U.S. commitment to the alliance.

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