North Korea is signaling that it is open to dialogue with the United States if such talks serve its interests, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said Thursday, a day after the sister of the North's leader Kim Jong-un said dialogue with Washington remains among potential options for peace. Chung offered the assessment during a parliamentary interpellation session as Seoul seeks to resume diplomacy with Pyongyang to ease cross-border tension and improve inter-Korean relations. "(North Korea) is sending a signal that possibilities of dialogue remain open if talks serve its interests," the minister said. "Yesterday, (the North) said directly that it understands dialogue is necessary for peace." He pointed out the North has made clear a precondition for dialogue, under which what it regards as hostile policies toward it, including sanctions pressure, military drills and human rights issues, should be corrected or revised. Noting that Pyongyang is calling for "respect and consideration" if Seoul wants to see a turnaround in inter-Korean relations, Chung said, "I want to say exactly the sam