Politics
20:36, 24-Jun-2017
DPRK urges S. Korea to drop nuclear issue as a condition for dialogue
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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has urged South Korea to restart dialogue without forcing Pyongyang to stop its nuclear and missile programs as a precondition.
The Consultative Council for National Reconciliation (CCNR) made the appeal on Friday, according to the Korean Central News Agency on Saturday.
The CCNR, the official DPRK body in charge of dealing with inter-Korean relations, said "are you ready to come out for a dialogue with the DPRK, without raising 'the north's nuclear issue'?"
"South Korean authorities do not hesitate to reveal their scheme for sanctions against and pressure on the DPRK, finding fault with its legitimate step for bolstering the nuclear force for self-defense," the DPRK authorities said.
Other conditions that the DPRK has called for to work on national reconciliation include stopping military exercises with the US, ending collaborations with foreign countries on inter-Korean issues, rejecting UN sanctions and releasing a dozen DPRK women allegedly kidnapped by the South Korean intelligence services, according to the message of the DPRK's official.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said that he would start dialogue with Pyongyang if the latter stops its nuclear and missile programs.
(With inputs from Xinhua)