Washington:U.S. President Donald Trump does not see negotiations with North Korea as a "concession" and is open to engaging with Pyongyang if it is in the national interest, according to a State Department spokesperson.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Tommy Pigott, a spokesperson for the State Department, emphasized that Trump's willingness to meet Kim Jong-un comes from a belief that dialogue is not a concession. Pigott stated, "If it's in our national interest to talk to someone, he's going to talk with them."

Trump has recently indicated his interest in meeting the North Korean leader later this year. The White House supports these discussions, stating that the president remains open to talks "without any preconditions." Pigott also reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the "complete" denuclearization of North Korea, asserting that this policy remains unchanged.

When asked about possible behind-the-scenes communications between Washington and Pyongyang, Pigott did not provide any details, citing the department's general policy of not discussing sensitive diplomatic conversations.

Pigott also commented on South Korean investments in the U.S., including energy projects, which he described as a "true win-win" for both nations. Trump recently announced several South Korean investment initiatives in the U.S., such as a gas-fired power plant in Texas, eight nuclear power plants, and a liquefied natural gas project in Alaska. However, South Korea's industry ministry noted that the Alaska LNG project is still under review for its commercial viability.

Regarding discrepancies between the U.S. and South Korea on these investment plans, Pigott mentioned he had not seen South Korea's specific comments.