North Korean Ambassador says his country will keep nuclear program

Jang Il Hun, North Korea’s deputy U.N. ambassador in New York, told VOA that his country already declared itself a nuclear-armed state in its constitution and adopted a new policy calling for expansion of nuclear weapons. In a rare interview, he stated his country’s positions on the nuclear issue, human rights, and American detainees.

“If America continues to press us on the human rights issue, we have no option but to review our policy toward America completely,” warned Jang. He did not elaborate on what a review of policy meant specifically.

Recently, the country signaled renewed interest in resuming the stalled nuclear talks. However, Jang raised doubts about the prospect of resuming the talks. “I do not see the point of having the six-party talks at this point,” he said.

He accused the U.S. of masterminding international criticism of his country’s human rights records to launch a smear campaign against the country’s political system.

Asked whether the North will allow a visit by an investigator from outside to probe the human rights situation inside the country, the North Korean envoy replied: “It is a subject for discussion as long as the matter is handled in a positive manner.”

On the possibility of negotiating the release of the three Americans being detained in North Korea, Jang said it would be difficult, saying “it is a matter of enforcing law.”

[VoA]

This entry was posted in DPRK Government, Humanitarian Aid and Relief, Prison Camps by Grant Montgomery.