The North Korean government on Sunday denied that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un sent the White House a “nice note,” running contrary to a claim made by President Trump.

“The relations between the top leaders of [North Korea] and the U.S. are not an issue to be taken up just for diversion nor it should be misused for meeting selfish purposes,” a statement read from North Korea’s Foreign Ministry.

“I received a nice note from him recently. It was a nice note. I think we’re doing fine,” Trump told reporters Saturday, defending his stalled nuclear negotiations with North Korea. Pyongyang called Trump’s comment “ungrounded.”

The U.S. and North Korea have held diplomatic talks over the country’s controversial nuclear weapons program, with Washington wanting Pyongyang to pursue a path of denuclearization in exchange for reducing sanctions on the isolated Asian nation. Negotiators from both countries last met in Sweden in October, with talks falling through on the first day of meetings.

Trump has met Kim for nuclear negotiations in Vietnam in February 2019 and in Singapore in June 2018, but no concrete deal on the matter was achieved. Trump has considered Kim a “friend” and has stated that he exchanged “beautiful” letters with the Supreme Leader.

Democrats have frequently criticized Trump’s relationship with Kim, claiming it gives legitimacy to a dictator. Former National Security Adviser John Bolton has stated that North Korea would never give up its nuclear arsenal.

Trump and Kim have not always had a rosy relationship. Trump called Kim “rocket man” in September 2017, with Kim calling Trump a “dotard” and "frightened dog" in response.

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