US accused of misleading over denuclearization

PYONGYANG — The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea on Sunday accused the United States of misleading world opinion by saying that the DPRK’s commitment to denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula was the outcome of international sanctions and pressure.

The Korean Central News Agency quoted a spokesman for the DPRK Ministry of Foreign Affairs as saying that Washington is deliberately provoking the DPRK despite the improvement of the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

“Recently, the US is misleading public opinion, arguing as if the DPRK’s clarification of its intention for denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula made through the Panmunjom Declaration adopted at the recent historic summit is the result of so-called sanctions and pressure,” the spokesman said.

He slammed the US for saying that it would not ease the sanctions and pressure until the DPRK gives up its nuclear weapons completely.

“The US is also moving to aggravate the situation on the Korean Peninsula by deploying strategic assets on the Peninsula and increasing its attempt of taking up the ‘human rights’ issue against the DPRK,” the spokesman said.

“This act cannot be construed otherwise than a dangerous attempt to ruin the hard-won atmosphere of dialogue and bring the situation back to square one,” he added.

He warned that if Washington miscalculates the peace-loving intention of the DPRK as a sign of weakness and continues to pursue its pressure and military threats against the latter, it would be counter-effective to addressing the nuclear issue on the peninsula.

The DPRK and the Republic of Korea issued a joint declaration on April 27, saying the two sides are committed to the goal of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, during a historic summit meeting between DPRK top leader Kim Jong-un and ROK President Moon Jae-in.