North Korea: No plans to abandon nuclear weapons

A senior North Korean diplomat suggested that his country has no plans to abandon nuclear weapons unconditionally, despite its agreement to return to six-party talks.

North Korea’s deputy foreign minister, Kang Sok Ju, speaking to a group of reporters while passing through Beijing from Russia, instead demanded that the US lift financial sanctions against the North.

Japan’s NHK television quoted Kang as saying that North Korea had not tested nuclear weapons only to get rid of them.

“Why would we abandon nuclear weapons?” Kang said. “Are you saying we conducted a nuclear test in order to abandon them?”

Asked if Pyongyang planned to demand the US lift sanctions, Kang said “of course", NHK reported.

It added that the North planned to make the demand in preparatory meetings ahead of the expected resumption of six-party talks on the North’s nuclear programme.

North Korea’s nuclear test on October 9 triggered international condemnation and sanctions.

In September 2005 it had agreed to abandon its nuclear program in exchange for security guarantees and aid, but it withdrew from talks two months later, protesting Washington’s financial sanctions over suspected money laundering.

Pyongyang agreed early this month to return to the talks, which may resume next month.

Kang was talking at Beijing’s international airport on his way home from Russia, which he reportedly visited for medical treatment.