Seoul's Unification Ministry on Tuesday publicly called for Pyongyang to respond to its plan to repatriate the remains of a North Korean national found in June.

SEOUL, South Korea — The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un dismissed the U.S.’s intent to resume diplomacy on North Korea’s denuclearization, saying Tuesday the North flatly opposes any attempt to deny its position as a nuclear weapons state.

While Moscow and Pyongyang launch their first direct flights in decades, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s sister slams the door on any talks with South Korea. CNN’s Will Ripley breaks down why.

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.

The first flight to North Korea operated by Russian carrier Nordwind took off from Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport carrying over 400 passengers.

There has been cautious optimism in the South that the North may respond positively and may even show willingness to re-engage in dialogue.

Russia will launch direct passenger flights from Moscow to North Korea 's capital Pyongyang on Sunday, Russian authorities said, as the two former communist bloc allies move to improve ties following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.