North Korea seeks greater trust before denuclearizing

UNITED NATIONS — North Korea needs more trust in the U.S. and their developing relationship before it will get rid of its nuclear weapons, Pyongyang’s top diplomat said Saturday as an envoy from another of the international community’s biggest worries — Syria — demanded that the U.S., France and Turkey withdraw their troops from his civil-warwracked country.

More than three months after a June summit in Singapore between the U.S. and North Korean leaders, North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho told world leaders at the U.N. General Assembly that the North doesn’t see a “corresponding response” from the U.S. to North Korea’s early disarmament moves. Instead, he noted, the U.S. is continuing sanctions aimed at keeping up pressure.

“The perception that sanctions can bring us on our knees is a pipe dream of the people who are ignorant of us,” he said, adding that the continued sanctions are “deepening our mistrust” and deadlocking the current diplomacy.

“Without any trust in the U.S., there will be no confidence in our national security, and under such circumstances there is no way we will unilaterally disarm ourselves first,” Ri said, adding that the North’s commitment to disarming is “solid and firm,” but that trust is crucial.

Washington is wary of easing sanctions or agreeing to another of the North’s priorities — a declaration ending the Korean War — without Pyongyang first making significant disarmament moves.

Ri’s comments come as President Trump and his secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, are trying to regain momentum in their quest to get North Korea to renounce its nuclear ambitions. Pompeo is planning to visit Pyongyang next month to prepare for a second Kim-Trump summit.

Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem declared Saturday that his country’s “battle against terrorism is almost over” after more than seven years of civil war.

He demanded that U.S., French and Turkish troops pull out of the country immediately, calling them “occupation forces” that are there illegally, without the government’s invitation. The United States has around 2,000 troops in northern Syria, working with local forces against Islamic State militants.

Al-Moallem vehemently restated denials that Damascus has used chemical weapons during the war — although international investigators have found otherwise — and he called on all refugees to return home, saying that is a priority for Damascus.

“All conditions are now present for the voluntary return of refugees,” he said.

Syrian government forces, backed by Russia and Iran, have retaken most of the territory rebels seized during the war that has killed over 400,000 people and driven millions from their homes.

Jennifer Peltz and Foster Klug are Associated Press writers.

Mary Altaffer / Associated Press North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho tells the U.N. General Assembly in New York City that continued U.S. sanctions are “deepening our mistrust.”