Spokesperson for DPRK Foreign Ministry on DPRK-U.S. Working-level Talks

Pyongyang, July 16 (KCNA) -- A spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) gave the following answer to a question put by KCNA on July 16, with regard to the DPRK-U.S. working-level talks.

At present, there are widespread public opinions across the world concerning an opening of the DPRK-U.S. working-level talks.

The United States is going to conduct a joint military exercise "Alliance 19-2" with south Korea in contravention of the commitments made at the highest level at a time when the working-level talks between the DPRK and the U.S. are on the agenda, which has been made possible by the DPRK-U.S. summit meeting in Panmunjom.

If the military exercise really goes ahead, it would affect the DPRK-U.S. working-level talks.

We will formulate our decision on the opening of the DPRK-U.S. working-level talks, while keeping watch over the U.S. move hereafter. -0-