NORTH KOREA said that a decision by the United States to scale back military exercises with South Korea does not change what it sees as the provocative nature of the drills.

The remarks from Kim Yo Jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, dampened hopes for an early resumption of diplomacy between North Korea and the US.

Ms Kim said: “We think it’s not worth making comments on that and we have no interest in it at all.

“The provocative, aggressive nature of the drills won’t change even though their duration and size were reduced.”

She also cited a series of other military drills carried out by the US and South Korea earlier this year and South Korea’s push to introduce nuclear-powered submarines.

Ms Kim denied that there was any communication between US President Donald Trump and the North Korean leader.

Earlier this week, pressed by reporters on whether he had a conversation with Mr Kim, President Trump said that the Korean leader had responded to his request for a conversation.

Ms Kim said relations between her brother and Mr Trump are “still excellent,” mentioning her brother’s past comments that he still has “good memories” of Mr Trump. 

When asked by reporters on if he will meet with Mr Kim this year, Mr Trump said: “Yeah, I will be.” 

He wouldn’t answer a question about whether he is exchanging letters with Mr Kim but said he gets along with him.

Ms Kim’s remarks came hours after the South Korean and US militaries confirmed they were scaling back their 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises. 

Mr Trump earlier ordered the Pentagon to “substantially reduce” the exercises, citing what he said was a good relationship with Mr Kim and South Korea’s refusal to support him over Iran.