North Korea asks US to stop “hostile policy” before having new talks

North Korea on Sunday (October 6) announced not to talk with the US on denuclearization until the “hostile policy” is eliminated after two countries’ working – level meeting in Stockholm on Saturday (October 5).

North Korean negotiator chief Kim Myong Gil speaks outside the North Korean Embassy in Stockholm, Sweden (photo: AP)

The working – level negotiation between the US and North Korea in Stockholm, Sweden was failed on Saturday (October 5) “because the U.S. has not discarded its old stance and attitude”, as North Korean nuclear negotiator chief Kim Myong Gil said. In contrast, the US considered two countries had “good discussions” and tended to have more dialogues.

North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson stated “We have no intention to hold such sickening negotiations as ... happened this time (in Sweden) before the U.S. takes a substantial step to make complete and irreversible withdrawal of the hostile policy toward the DPRK”.

The North Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs also added that the talks “made us think they have no political will to improve (North Korea)-U.S. relations and may be abusing the bilateral relations for their own partisan interests”.

The talks between the US and North Korea, held on Saturday (October 5) has not put the denuclearization issue out of the deadlock after the meeting of two countries’ leaders at Demilitarized Zone in late June.

North Korea had even shot the submarine – launched missile to Sea of Japan on October 2 following its acceptance to meet the US for denuclearization talks. Despite its action, North Korea still showed its hope for the progress of the relation with the US.

North Korean Vice Foreign Minister Choe Son Hui on October 3 said “the delegates of the DPRK side are ready to enter into the DPRK-U.S. working-level negotiations. It is my expectation that the working-level negotiations would accelerate the positive development of the DPRK-U.S. relations”.

However, after the working – level talks between two countries, the North Korea’s foreign ministry spokesperson commented “the U.S. is spreading a completely ungrounded story that both sides are open to meet after two weeks. ... It is not likely at all that it can produce a proposal commensurate to the expectations of the DPRK and to the concerns of the world in just a fortnight”.

AP, Reuters ( Van Nguyen )