N. Korea: We Want Nuclear-Free Peninsula

(AP)  North Korea reaffirmed its commitment to a nuclear-free Korean peninsula in New Year's message on Friday, brightening the prospect that Pyongyang may rejoin the stalled international talks aimed at ending its nuclear weapons programs.

"It is the consistent stand of the DPRK to establish a lasting peace system on the Korean Peninsula and make it nuclear-free through dialogue and negotiations," the message said, referring to the country by its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Pyongyang's Jan. 1 statement, examined annually for clues to the regime's policies for the coming year, also said it will strive to develop good relations and friendship with other countries, while calling for an end to hostile relations with the United States.

North Korea traditionally marks New Year's Day with a joint editorial by the country's three major newspapers representing its communist party, military and youth militia force. The editorial was carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency.

The North's commitment came as Washington is trying to coax Pyongyang to return to the international disarmament talks.

The two countries agreed on the need to resume the negotiations during a trip to Pyongyang by President Barack Obama's special envoy in early December, but North Korea did not make a firm commitment on when it would rejoin the talks.

North Korea quit the disarmament talks last year in anger over international criticism of its long-range rocket launch, which was denounced as a test of its missile technology. The regime then conducted a nuclear test and test-fired a series of ballistic missiles.

The editorial also appealed North Korean soldiers to unite around leader Kim Jong Il and remain vigilant to thwart any surprise attacks of the enemy.

It urged the country's 1.1 million-strong military, the backbone of Kim's totalitarian rule, to "defend with our very lives the leadership of revolution headed" by Kim.

[caligula1--2008]

It IS a really funny request from the only nation to detonate a nuclear weapon on the Korean Peninsula. One might think that their Dear Leader, or Beloved Leader, or whatever particular title he might have assigned himself (nice inventing the divinity legend too, didn't we force a country to renounce deifying their leaders recently? Well, recently the way I tend to look at history, back in 1945.)

Pity Hirohito (Showa) isn't around anymore, he could give Kim some lessons in what exactly defying these United States can cost you.

[ToolMangler1]

North Norea could have had everything just like South Korea, The biggest difference between them is the way the respective Governments treat the populations.

[armyoftwelve]

World to N. Korea: YOU FIRST!

[proudmilvet]

Pretty damn magnanomous of them! Only 57 years too late. The little Pr**ks must want something!

[sjc_1]

During Clinton, the north and south were talking and families from both sides were reuniting. Then Junior declared the north part of the "Axis of Evil" and they began their weapons program again. The GOP wants perpetual war, it is easier to control the masses with fear.

[info-hunter]

Quick Draw George and Darth Cheney lit the fuse to the mess we are in with Iran and North Korea with their axis of evil cr*p. Not that thing were all roses with them but after the speech by George Jr. they were sure we were ready to invade them like we did in Iraq and Afghanistan and both are trying to get nukes as a deterrent. Thanks George, talk about creating very dangerous and very very costly problems. And the republicans talk about how they made the U.S.A. a much safer place to live, what a crock of dung. Next they will say it is all the falt of the Democrats like they have with every problem they created while in office. They know if we don't forget all of their screw ups they don't stand a snow balls chance in hell of ever retaking the White House so it is imparative they place the blame anywhere but with their party. So don't fall for this ploy or be ready for them to pick up where they left off robbing the working families and the middle class and handing our hard earned money over to their rich contributers, CEOs, oil corps., bankers and all the big shots they owe favors to.
- God bless America! -

[info-hunter]

Quick Draw George and Darth Cheney lit the fuse to the mess we are in with Iran and North Korea with their axis of evil cr*p. Not that thing were all roses with them but after the speech by George Jr. they were sure we were ready to invade them like we did in Iraq and Afghanistan and both are trying to get nukes as a deterrent. Thanks George, talk about creating very dangerous and very very costly problems. And the republicans talk about how they made the U.S.A. a much safer place to live, what a crock of dung. Next they will say it is all the falt of the Democrats like they have with every problem they created while in office. They know if we don't forget all of their screw ups they don't stand a snow balls chance in hell of ever retaking the White House so it is imparative they place the blame anywhere but with their party. So don't fall for this ploy or be ready for them to pick up where they left off robbing the working families and the middle class and handing our hard earned money over to their rich contributers, CEOs, oil corps., bankers and all the big shots they owe favors to.
- God bless America! -