DPRK condemns US sanctions, will continue nuclear science

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The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday condemned the United States for placing fresh sanctions on it and called on the country to respond to its efforts to improve bilateral ties.

The DPRK remains unchanged in its will to implement agreements made by the top leaders of the DPRK and the United States during their Singapore talks, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted a foreign ministry spokesperson as saying.

Pyongyang hoped that "goodwill measures" such as suspending nuclear tests and intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test fire, dismantling its nuclear test ground and repatriating POW/MIA remains would contribute to improving relations.

"However, the US responded to our expectation by inciting international sanctions and pressure against the DPRK," said a statement.

Flag-draped transfer cases with the remains of American soldiers repatriated from the DPRK are seen during a repatriation ceremony after arriving at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Honolulu, Hawaii, August 1, 2018. /VCG Photo

The US Department of the Treasury earlier this month announced sanctions on an individual and three entities – including a Russian commercial bank – for alleged links with the nuclear program of the DPRK.

With such moves, "one cannot expect any progress in the implementation of the DPRK-US joint statement including the denuclearization, and furthermore, there is no guarantee that the hard-won atmosphere of stability on the Korean Peninsula will continue," said the spokesperson.

DPRK top leader Kim Jong Un met with US President Donald Trump in June in Singapore, where they signed a joint statement, agreeing to push for establishing diplomatic ties, building peace on the Korean Peninsula and completely denuclearizing the peninsula together.

DPRK will preserve know-how despite denuclearization: FM

The DPRK will preserve its nuclear know-how despite its promise of denuclearization to the United States, Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho said during a visit to Tehran, Iranian media reported on Thursday.

DPRK Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho arrives to meet his Iranian counterpart in the capital Tehran on August 7, 2018. /VCG Photo

"We preserve our nuclear science as we know that the Americans will not abandon their hostility toward us," Ri said, according to Mehr news agency.

"Dealing with Americans is difficult, and as our main goal is total disarmament of the whole Korean Peninsula, it is necessary that the Americans also abide by their commitments but they refuse to do so."

Ri was meeting with Iran's influential parliament speaker Ali Larijani on the third day of an official visit.

"The Americans utter beautiful words when negotiating and promise a very bright future but they deliver on none of their commitments when it comes to action," Larijani said.

(Cover: US President Donald Trump and the DPRK leader Kim Jong Un hold a signing ceremony at the conclusion of their summit at the Capella Hotel on the resort island of Sentosa, Singapore, June 12, 2018. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): AFP ,Xinhua News Agency