WASHINGTON — The Department of State reiterated Monday that the United States remains open to talks with North Korea "without preconditions," a day after President Donald Trump said he has ordered the Pentagon to reduce South Korea-U.S. military exercises in what appears to be a conciliatory gesture toward Pyongyang. "President Trump has made clear, the United States remains open to dialogue with North Korea without preconditions," a spokesperson at the department said. The spokesperson was responding to Yonhap News Agency's questions about whether there are any State Department-level efforts to resume diplomacy with Pyongyang, and whether the department is considering appointing a new special representative for North Korea. On the question about the special envoy post, the official said, "We have no personnel announcements to make at this time." During Trump's first term, Stephen Biegun served as special representative for North Korea from August 2018 through January 2021. Then, Sung Kim, former U.S. ambassador to South Korea, served in the post from May 2021 to November 2023 during t