<p>The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Tuesday that Washington had "wrong" expectations for dialogue with Pyongyang and was facing "disappointment," state media reported.</p>.<p>The White House promised a "practical, calibrated approach" -- including diplomatic efforts -- in a recent review of its strategy to persuade the impoverished North to give up its nuclear and missile programme.</p>.<p>Sung Kim, the top US diplomat in charge of North Korea negotiations, underlined the message Monday during a five-day visit to Seoul, where he said Washington was ready to meet with Pyongyang "anywhere, anytime, without preconditions".</p>.<p>But Kim Yo Jong -- a key adviser to her brother -- appeared to dismiss prospects for an early resumption of negotiations, saying the US seemed to be seeking "comfort for itself".</p>.<p>Washington harbours expectations "the wrong way", which would "plunge them into a greater disappointment", she added in the statement reported by Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency.</p>.<p>Since US President Joe Biden's election, the two countries have adopted a wait-and-see attitude to relations following the diplomatic roller-coaster ride under Donald Trump that produced three historic summits but no agreement on dismantling the North's nuclear arsenal.</p>.<p>Kim Jong Un said last week that Pyongyang needed to prepare for both "dialogue and confrontation" with Washington -- but with a particular emphasis on the latter.</p>.<p>The North at the weekend admitted it was tackling a food crisis, sounding the alarm in a country with a moribund agricultural sector that has long struggled to feed itself.</p>.<p>It is now under self-imposed isolation to protect itself against the coronavirus pandemic, and as a result trade with Beijing -- its economic lifeline -- has slowed to a trickle while all international aid work faces tight restrictions.</p>.<p>Kim Yo Jong's remarks "have not changed our view on diplomacy", US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.</p>.<p>"We remain prepared to engage in... negotiations with the DPRK to deal with the challenge of its nuclear programme."</p>.<p>Price said the US hoped North Korea would "respond positively" to the US offer to meet.</p>.<p>"Again, our policy is not aimed at hostility. It is aimed at solutions. And it is ultimately about achieving the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the spokesman added.</p>
<p>The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Tuesday that Washington had "wrong" expectations for dialogue with Pyongyang and was facing "disappointment," state media reported.</p>.<p>The White House promised a "practical, calibrated approach" -- including diplomatic efforts -- in a recent review of its strategy to persuade the impoverished North to give up its nuclear and missile programme.</p>.<p>Sung Kim, the top US diplomat in charge of North Korea negotiations, underlined the message Monday during a five-day visit to Seoul, where he said Washington was ready to meet with Pyongyang "anywhere, anytime, without preconditions".</p>.<p>But Kim Yo Jong -- a key adviser to her brother -- appeared to dismiss prospects for an early resumption of negotiations, saying the US seemed to be seeking "comfort for itself".</p>.<p>Washington harbours expectations "the wrong way", which would "plunge them into a greater disappointment", she added in the statement reported by Pyongyang's official KCNA news agency.</p>.<p>Since US President Joe Biden's election, the two countries have adopted a wait-and-see attitude to relations following the diplomatic roller-coaster ride under Donald Trump that produced three historic summits but no agreement on dismantling the North's nuclear arsenal.</p>.<p>Kim Jong Un said last week that Pyongyang needed to prepare for both "dialogue and confrontation" with Washington -- but with a particular emphasis on the latter.</p>.<p>The North at the weekend admitted it was tackling a food crisis, sounding the alarm in a country with a moribund agricultural sector that has long struggled to feed itself.</p>.<p>It is now under self-imposed isolation to protect itself against the coronavirus pandemic, and as a result trade with Beijing -- its economic lifeline -- has slowed to a trickle while all international aid work faces tight restrictions.</p>.<p>Kim Yo Jong's remarks "have not changed our view on diplomacy", US State Department spokesman Ned Price told reporters.</p>.<p>"We remain prepared to engage in... negotiations with the DPRK to deal with the challenge of its nuclear programme."</p>.<p>Price said the US hoped North Korea would "respond positively" to the US offer to meet.</p>.<p>"Again, our policy is not aimed at hostility. It is aimed at solutions. And it is ultimately about achieving the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the spokesman added.</p>