North Korea appeals for direct talks with US, saying war is a risk for Korean Peninsula

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei – North Korea's foreign minister has appealed for direct talks with the U.S. to ease regional tension, saying Washington's hostile policies against his country make war a possibility.

North Korean delegation official Choe Myong Nam says Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun also told a regional security forum Tuesday in Brunei that the North Korean nuclear standoff won't be resolved unless the U.S. changes its tone.

North Korea surprisingly offered to talk with the U.S. last month after weeks of tension following its February nuclear test. The U.S. has coolly responded the overture saying Pyongyang must first demonstrate its sincerity on nuclear disarmament.

Choe says Pak also said that the U.S. must accept North Korea's dialogue offer if it truly wants to promote peace.