Washington: A State Department spokesperson on Tuesday reaffirmed the United States' policy of pursuing the "complete denuclearization" of North Korea, days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un voiced openness to engaging with Washington if it drops its demand for the North's denuclearization.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the spokesperson confirmed the U.S. policy in response to a question, indicating that the administration under U.S. President Donald Trump would continue its commitment to the denuclearization goal. This comes despite Pyongyang's repeated insistence that it would not bargain away its nuclear program.

During a speech to the North's parliament over the weekend, Kim Jong-un indicated his openness to conditional dialogue with Washington, noting his personal "good memory" of Trump. This statement has raised expectations for a potential resumption of summitry between the two leaders.

Trump has expressed hope to meet Kim this year, fueling speculation that he might seek to reengage with Kim during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea's southeastern city of Gyeongju on Oct. 31-Nov. 1. Some observers suggest that Trump's attention could pivot to North Korea in pursuit of a peace deal amid his perceived campaign to secure a Nobel Peace Prize. Trump has claimed to have ended seven wars since taking office, including conflicts between Israel and Iran and between India and Pakistan.

Trump's personal diplomacy during his first term led to three meetings with Kim Jong-un - in Singapore in June 2018, in Hanoi in February 2019, and at the inter-Korean border village of Panmunjom in June 2019.