It was uncertain whether the RoK would heed the DPRK call less than two months after the DPRK military on November 23 bombarded a RoK island off disputed waters, killing four people.

The artillery fire, and the March 2010 sinking of a RoK corvette blamed on the DPRK despite its denials, have raised tensions in Asia and added pressure to try to resume talks with the North on curbing its nuclear programs.

"We demand unconditional talks between responsible authorities (of the DPRK and the RoK)," the KCNA news agency quoted a statement, which, in an unusual step, was issued collectively by the DPRK government, the ruling Workers' Party of Korea and other organizations.

"We are prepared to meet with anyone regardless of the past if it is someone who is willing to go hand-on-hand with us to the future," it added.

It further proposed "discontinuing heaping slander and calumnies on each other and refraining from any act of provoking each other in order to create an atmosphere of improving inter-Korean ties."

While the DPRK statement seemed conciliatory, the US made clear it first wanted Pyongyang to take action.

"We're open to dialogue but it's not just for the DPRK to say 'OK, fine we'll come talk'," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters after the U.S. and Chinese foreign ministers met in Washington.

"There are things that the DPRK has to show both the RoK and the US that it is prepared to have a sustained and constructive dialogue," Crowley said.