US President Donald Trump (left) and South Korean Moon Jae-in meet on Thursday (local time) in Washington DC. — YONHAP Photo

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump told South Korean President Moon Jae-in during their meeting Thursday that he remains open to continuing dialogue with North Korea over its nuclear weapons program, the White House said.

The two leaders held talks at the White House earlier in the day to seek a solution to the deadlock in denuclearisation negotiations with the North.

Washington and Pyongyang have been at an impasse since Trump's second summit with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Việt Nam in February collapsed without a deal.

"President Trump and President Moon discussed our two countries' mutual goals of achieving the final, fully verified denuclearization of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and establishing a permanent peace on the Korean Peninsula, as well as the way forward with the DPRK following the Hà Nội Summit," the White House said in a statement, using North Korea's official name.

It added that Trump "reiterated that he has a very good relationship" with Kim and "noted that the door remains open to dialogue."

Moreover, the White House said, Moon and Trump affirmed the importance of continuing close coordination and cooperation on issues related to North Korea and discussed the "enduring strength" of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, "which remains the linchpin of peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."

During their talks, the leaders also lauded the improvements made by the revised South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement to two-way trade.

In that vein, Trump noted South Korean companies' investments in the American manufacturing industry, including the automotive sector, in support of U.S. jobs and exports.

Speaking of recent devastating wildfires in South Korea's northeastern province of Gangwon, Trump "commended the bravery of Korean first responders, whose heroic efforts saved countless lives," the White House said. — YONHAP