The U.S. has confirmed that it is open to dialogue with North Korea without preconditions, according to Seoul’s foreign ministry, after Kim Jong Un left the door open to talks if the U.S. doesn’t insist on denuclearization.

Washington “reaffirmed its openness to dialogue with North Korea without preconditions” and will “maintain close cooperation and continuous communication at all levels going forward” with South Korea, Vice Foreign Minister Jeong Yeon-doo said in the U.S. capital on Thursday.

Jeong’s remarks came after North Korea concluded its Ninth Party Congress this week, with state media reporting on Thursday that the country is prepared