The DPRK has declared that it will not take part in UN negotiations on a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons to be held in New York, a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of the DPRK said.
DPRK states that it cannot but take into serious account its participation in the conference as the US stages joint military exercises for aggression after introducing its largest-ever strategic assets into the Korean peninsula. Therefore, it decided not to take part in the negotiation, said a spokesperson for the DPRK's Foreign Ministry.
DPRK's flag. / VCG
The first round of negotiations will run for five days from March 27, the second will take place from June 15-July 7 in New York.
Of the five major states possessing nuclear weapons, the United States, Britain, France and Russia are vehemently opposed to the treaty.
Japan's Hiroshima, after being attacked by atomic bomb in 1945. / VCG Photo
Japan is also highly unlikely to participate in the negotiation due to opposition from the United States, Kyodo news reported, citing Japan's government sources.
Japan has been attacked by atomic bombs, but its stance still remains vague about whether it will join the negotiation, reflecting its reliance on the US nuclear deterrence for protection.
On Friday, the chief of a Japanese opposition party called for bringing talks outlawing nuclear weapons to a “successful conclusion” as soon as possible before the conference starts next week.
Hua Chunying, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs./ VCG Photo
China decided not to attend the negotiation, as China supports denuclearization, but thinks it is better to gradually push for that under existing mechanisms rather than try to achieve it in a short time, the spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Monday.
(Source: KCNA, Kyodo News)
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