A State Department official says the United States will stick to its plan to transfer wartime operational command to South Korea by 2012.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Alexander Arvizu made the statement during a lecture on South Korea-U.S. relations in Washington Tuesday.

However, Arvizu was quick to add that once the new Korean government is launched, new interests might arise concerning key state affairs, saying Washington will actively discuss pending bilateral issues with the new government.

On the New York Philharmonic’s planned visit to Pyongyang later this month, Arvizu said he hopes the visit will enhance awareness among North Korea's leaders and introduce North Korean people to the outside world.

Meanwhile, Arvizu downplayed claims that a recent visit by Korea Desk Director Sung Kim to Pyongyang did not produce any results, saying the fact that the U.S. continues to engage in dialogue with the North is what's important.