The country appeared to signal an openness to talks, but said it must be recognized as a nuclear power and would not discuss abandoning its arsenal.

North Korea is openly warning the U.S. to recognize it as a nuclear power or abandon hopes of future diplomacy. Backed by Russia, Pyongyang says denuclearization is off the table and that Washington’s expectations are outdated.

North Korea said on Tuesday the United States must accept that reality has changed since the countries' summit meetings in the past, and no future dialogue would end its nuclear programme, state media KCNA reported.

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dismissed the U.S.'s intent to resume diplomacy on North Korea’s denuclearization, as she urged Washington to accept her country as a nuclear weapons state and find a new approach to restart talks.