North Korea proposes negotiation terms

North Korea has announced a willingness to negotiate on the condition that the US and South Korea cease their military drills and lift UN sanctions, as well as claiming they will de- nuclearise once the US have removed the nuclear weapons they allege to be positioned in the region.

KNCA, the official news agency, released a statement announcing: “Dialogue and war cannot co-exist… If the United States and the puppet South have the slightest desire to avoid the sledge hammer blow of our army and the people… they must make the resolute decision.”

The US has said they will only consider negotiation talks if all intentions of maintaining nuclear weapons are abandoned by North Korea. However, the North has refused to relinquish the weapons, referring to them as a “treasured sword”. 

South Korea has called the conditions of the North “absurd” and “regretful”. Spokesperson Cho Tai-young has said: “We strongly urge the North to stop making such incomprehensible demands and to make the wise choice we have repeatedly urged.”    

The terms that have been announced by the North are widely believed to be an endeavour to satisfy its only major backer, China, which is experiencing discomfort over the increasing threats of war. 

Molly Kersey