North Korea ? A North Korean diplomat says the communist country is ready to deal with any new U.S. administration following Barack Obama’s election to the presidency as talks continued over dismantlement of its nuclear weapons program.

Ri Gun, a North Korean nuclear negotiator, spoke Thursday in New York after a meeting with Sung Kim, the U.S. special envoy to the international negotiations on Pyongyang’s nuclear programs.

“We have dealt with various U.S. administrations, including an administration that sought dialogue with us and an administration that attempted to isolate and contain us,” Ri said. “Whatever U.S. administration comes forward, we are ready to deal with that administration’s policy” on Pyongyang.

During his campaign, Obama emphasized his willingness to continue direct talks with the North – a policy Bush has now embraced.