North Korea has “no intention” to sit down for with the U.S. without firm assurances that Washington will withdraw its “hostile policy” towards Pyongyang, a top official said in a statement released Tuesday.

The statement, issued by Kim Yong Chol, a senior official on the DPRK ruling party’s Central Committee and Chairman of the Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, also rejected U.S. efforts to improve ties through the recent postponement of a joint U.S.-ROK military drill.

“The suspension of the drill does not mean ensuring peace and security on the Korean peninsula and is not helpful to the diplomatic efforts