Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, said Monday that Pyongyang had "no interest" in efforts by Seoul to improve relations.

For the first time since South Korea’s new president assumed office, Pyongyang explicitly nixed the Lee administration’s pro-dialogue approach to North Korea.

North Korea has rejected recent proposals by South Korea’s government to ease tensions between the two countries. The communist country cited South Korea’s cooperation and strong ties with the U.S. as the main reasons for spurning de-escalation attempts.

It had been hoped that South Korea's recent moves to scale back propaganda along the border might improve relations between the long-time enemies.

The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Tuesday personal ties between the leaders of the North and the United States are "not bad," while ruling out talks on Pyongyang's denuclearization.