A submarine-launched ballistic missile is displayed during a military parade in central Pyongyang, April 15, 2017. The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) showcased its military muscles by parading all of its most-advanced ballistic and tactic missiles, including a submarine-launched ballistic missile which could strike targets 1000 km away. (Xinhua/Zhu Longchuan)

WASHINGTON, April 25 (Xinhua) -- White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders on Wednesday said the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was "moving in the right direction" on the issue of Korean Peninsula denuclearization.

Earlier on Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un is "very open" and "very honorable," and he hoped that Washington could deal with Pyongyang in an "honorable fashion."

In a press briefing, Sanders said the DPRK has "been open with their willingness to denuclearize."

"They're moving in the right direction," she said, adding Trump "wants to have the ability to sit down and have these conversations" with the DPRK side.

She reiterated that the United States will not let up on the maximum pressure campaign against Pyongyang "until we see some of the words that they've made go into concrete action."

South Korean President Moon Jae-in will meet with Kim Friday. Trump said his meeting with Kim may happen in May or early June.