Story highlights North Korea "signaling" Trump with latest statements, expert said

Pyongyang may be hoping to return to the negotiating table and reduce sanctions

(CNN) North Korea says it could launch an intercontinental ballistic missile "at any time," even as Pyongyang appeared to offer Donald Trump an avenue for future talks.

Tensions on the Korean peninsula have risen considerably since leader Kim Jong Un said in his new year's message that the country was close to testing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of delivering a nuclear weapon to the US mainland.

In a statement Sunday, a spokesman from North Korea's foreign minister said "the US is wholly to blame" for the development of its missile program.

Speaking to NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, Defense Secretary Ash Carter called it a "serious threat" and said the US would shoot down any missile aimed at it or an ally.

China and South Korea on Monday denounced the North Korea missile threat, and warned that a test could lead to further sanctions.