By Jun Ji-hye
The United States has again called on North Korea to end its nuclear program.
The White House said on Sunday that North Korea should denuclearize, maintaining its stance, despite speculation of a possible shift in U.S. policy toward Pyongyang.
National Security Council spokesman Patrick Ventrell made it clear that the communist state would have to show it was genuine about denuclearization, if it wants to resume negotiations with Washington.
The speculation came amid a report that U.S. officials allegedly made a secret trip to the North. The report gained impetus as North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su-yong was planning to visit the U.S. to attend the U.N. General Assembly in September. If that happens, Ri’s visit to the U.S. would be the first by a North Korean foreign minister in 15 years.
“We remain open to dialogue with North Korea, but will continue to judge North Korea by its actions, not its words,” Ventrell said in a statement sent to Yonhap News Agency. “We are not interested in talks for the sake of talks.
“U.S. principles in this regard remain the same and unchanged. North Korea must show it is serious and prepared to abide by its commitments, particularly concerning denuclearization, before authentic and credible negotiations are possible.”
Ventrell said that National Security Adviser Susan Rice clarified in her Georgetown University speech in November that the reclusive state’s attempts to engage in dialogue while keeping critical elements of the North’s weapons programs running were unacceptable.
“Nothing has changed since then,” he said, calling on Pyongyang to use direct channels of communication including liaison with the DPRK (North Korea) Mission in New York.
The spokesman made no mention about the reported secret trip to the North.
On Monday, the North denounced Washington’s denuclearization policy while reemphasizing its need to have nuclear weapons.
State-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun stressed the legitimacy of nuclear weapons, citing a "lesseon" from World War II that “a weak country becomes a victim of imperialistic invasion.
“As we have full control of nuclear weapons, the U.S. policy aimed at denuclearization has fallen like a drifting wrecked ship,” the newspaper said. “The strategic patience policy of Barack Obama’s administration apparently has failed.”
The paper added that Pyongyang would reinforce its nuclear weapons program both in quality and quantity to protect its independence and to maintain peace.
The six-party talks aimed at ending the North’s nuclear program have been suspended since late 2008.
Pyongyang has called for their unconditional resumption, but Seoul and Washington have demanded the North first take concrete steps to prove its willingness to give up its nuclear ambitions before negotiations can resume.
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