Choe Son-hui: "No North Korea-US Talks Unless Anti-DPRK Hostile Policy Is Withdrawn" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] Choe Son-hui, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of North Korea, stated in a statement, "If the hostile policy toward North Korea is not withdrawn, there will be no dialogue between North Korea and the United States," adding, "For dialogue itself to take place, an atmosphere must be created where both sides can sit face-to-face on equal terms and exchange words." This appears to be a move to pressure the U.S. ahead of the South Korea-U.S. Foreign and Defense Ministers (2+2) meeting.

In her statement on the 18th, Vice Minister Choe said, "Since mid-February, the United States has attempted contact with us through various channels, including New York."

Vice Minister Choe emphasized, "We believe there is no need to respond again to the U.S.'s time-wasting games," and "We have already made it clear that no North Korea-U.S. contact or dialogue can take place unless the U.S. withdraws its hostile policy toward North Korea, and we will continue to ignore future U.S. attempts at contact."

She added, "For dialogue itself to occur, an atmosphere must be created where both sides can sit face-to-face on equal terms and exchange words," and said, "If they hope to sit down with us even once, they must first correct their bad habits and change their attitude from the start."

She also criticized the Biden administration's stance. Vice Minister Choe pointed out, "Since the change of administration in the U.S., the only sounds heard have been the insane 'North Korean threat' theory and the reckless talk of 'complete denuclearization,'" and "The U.S. military has quietly continued military threats, and despite consistent domestic and international concerns and opposition, they have shamelessly conducted aggressive joint military exercises targeting us."

Vice Minister Choe also hinted at a desire not to provoke North Korea during the South Korea-U.S. 2+2 talks. She said, "The U.S. Secretary of State, who visited Japan, stirred us greatly by saying that 'various pressure measures or stubborn methods are all under review,' and now that he has come to South Korea, I am curious what other outrageous nonsense he will spout that will shock the world," adding, "It would be better to stop using cheap tricks like wasting time and manipulating public opinion with North Korea-U.S. contacts."

Vice Minister Choe declared, "We clearly state that we will never give another opportunity like those in Singapore or Hanoi," and "We are willing to accept the sanctions games that the U.S. frequently plays." This emphasized that North Korea will not be shaken by additional sanctions or other measures.

She continued, "The U.S. should carefully consider what we will do as they continue to pursue their hostile policy toward North Korea," suggesting provocations while reaffirming the principle of 'by strength for strength, by precedence for precedence.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.