Go to contents

N.K. denies ‘prior actions for denuclearization’

Posted November. 12, 2013 06:10,   

한국어

With countries surrounding the Korean Peninsula actively communicating each other over the resumption of six-way talks over North Korea’s denuclearization, Pyongyang has lashed out a flurry of criticism aimed at the U.S. sanctions against the North and demand for the North’s prior action for its denuclearization.

In its commentary entitled "Prior action is like mirage" on Monday, the Rodong Sinmun said, “Our answer is that the U.S. shall not expect us to take certain actions in advance.” The statement constitutes the North’s rejection of recent reiterations by South Korea and the U.S., which demanded Pyongyang`s prior actions before resuming the six-way talks.

“There is nothing to rush or be afraid of,” the newspaper said. “Unless the U.S. displays its intention to withdraw hostile policy towards the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), it is an impossible dream to expect us to take prior actions.”

North Korea has been constantly blasting sanctions by the U.S. and others since China`s special representative for Korea policy Wu Dawei made a visit to the North last week. Mentioning the U.N.’s adoption of resolution to oppose sanctions the U.S. imposed on Cuba in late October, the Rodong Sinmun said Sunday, “The U.S. should desert the snare of sanctions that is completely decayed.”

After recognizing efforts by neighboring countries to resume the six-party talks, the North’s moves apparently reflect its intention to gain the upper hand in negotiations in advance. During his visit to Pyongyang, Wu reportedly sought to persuade the North with arbitrational measures with Washington on the resumption of the six-party talks. Facing its dire need to ease sanctions and Beijing’s strong pressure to resume talks, the North cannot afford to unconditionally decline six-way talks. Analysts on North Korea affairs say that Pyongyang has started making efforts to increase its bargaining power by using criticism of sanctions against Pyongyang ahead of the resumption of six-way talks.