North Korea has “made clear” that it remains open to dialogue, South Korean President Moon Jae-in insisted in an annual press conference on Tuesday, expressing his support for a loosening of international sanctions that could allow inter-Korean economic projects to go ahead.

Speaking at the Blue House on Tuesday, Moon sought to project an optimistic view of prospects for denuclearization talks, emphasizing that the North has continued to express its openness to hold talks even after the expiration of previously-set year-end deadline for diplomacy to produce results.

“It was a concern that dialogue between the North and the U.S.