DPRK warns of returning to nuclear policy

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) warned the United States it will "seriously" consider returning to a state policy aimed at building nuclear weapons if Washington does not end tough economic sanctions against the impoverished country.

For years, the DPRK had pursued a "byungjin" policy of simultaneously developing its nuclear capabilities alongside the economy.

In April, citing a "fresh climate of detente and peace" on the peninsula, DPRK leader Kim Jong Un declared the nuclear quest complete and said his country would focus on "socialist economic construction."

US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un meet at the start of their summit at the Capella Hotel in Singapore, June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo

But a statement issued by the country's foreign ministry said Pyongyang could revert to its former policy if the US did not change its stance over sanctions.

"The word 'byungjin' may appear again and the change of the line could be seriously reconsidered," said the statement carried by the KCNA news agency late Friday.

At a historic summit in Singapore in June, US President Donald Trump and Kim signed a vaguely-worded statement on denuclearization.

But little progress has been made since then, with Washington pushing to maintain sanctions against the DPRK until its "final, fully verified denuclearization" and Pyongyang condemning US demands as "gangster-like."

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo speaks to members of the media in the briefing room of the State Department in Washington, DC, October 23, 2018. /VCG Photo

Last month, the DPRK's state media carried a near 1,700 words long commentary accusing the US of playing a "double game," implicitly criticizing Trump for his comments aimed at barring Seoul from lifting sanctions against Pyongyang.

The Republic of Korea (ROK)'s President Moon Jae-in has long favored engagement with the DPRK, which is subject to multiple UN Security Council sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

He has dangled large investment and joint cross-border projects as incentives for steps toward denuclearization, while the US has been adamant pressure should be maintained on Pyongyang until it fully dismantles its weapons programs.

In an interview with Fox News on Friday, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo reiterated that sanctions will remain until Pyongyang carries out its denuclearization commitments made in Singapore, adding he will meet with his DPRK counterpart next week.

(With input from AFP)