Attention of Int'l Community Focused on DPRK's Status as Nuclear Weapons State: KCNA Commentary

 Pyongyang, June 13 (KCNA) -- The attention of the international community is now focused on the DPRK's nuclear capability.
    It is the unanimous comment that the DPRK was compelled to have access to nukes due to the U.S. constant threat and the nuclear force of the DPRK cannot but be bolstered up unless those countries concerned strive hard to defuse the tension on the Korean peninsula.
    Such views were expressed by experts of different countries on the Korean affairs.
    Alexandr Vorontsov, section chief of the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, recently said, when interviewed by the broadcasting service Sputnik, that the U.S. is pushing the DPRK to the action to bolster up nuclear force.
    He went on:
    "Since long before the DPRK has proposed the U.S., Japan and south Korea many times for productive dialogue. However, all proposals for resuming dialogue were neglected and turned down. Under this situation the DPRK cannot but interpret all the U.S. 'peace declarations' as nothing but fig-leaf to cover up its sinister intent. Therefore, the DPRK has no other choice but to focus on increasing the defence capability. To this end, the DPRK is bolstering up its nuclear deterrence, among other things."
    This is an objective and fair observation.
    A British expert on Korean affairs in an article dedicated to the UK paper Guardian asserted that north Korea's access to nukes is an established fact and north Korea will never give up its nuclear program, adding diplomacy is the only way for settling the nuclear issue of north Korea.
    It was known that the U.S. Department of Defense in an annual report in 2008 termed the DPRK nuclear weapons state, creating a stir. It was reported recently that the bill on national defense right now under discussion at the U.S. Senate contains an expression that the DPRK is a "nuclear weapons state," sparking sensation.
    There is opinion in the U.S. about whether its Congress began to recognize north Korea as "a de facto nuclear weapons state". There are even assertions that the nuclear issue of north Korea should be dealt with after recognizing it as "a de facto nuclear weapons state."
    In the final analysis, this means the DPRK's access to nukes became an established fact long ago and the international community recognized the DPRK as a nuclear power standing against the U.S. nuclear blackmail and threat, no matter who recognizes it or not.
    The above-said facts prove with added clarity that the DPRK was quite just when it insisted on the stand that nuclear weapons have to be countered in kind and that the nuclear stick of the aggressors must be broken with a treasured nuclear sword of justice.
    Clear is the reason why the DPRK opted to bolster the nuclear force, not just content with its access to nukes.
    It is because the U.S. has persistently pursued its anachronistic hostile policy toward the DPRK and the countries concerned responsible for it are not making efforts for the detente on the Korean peninsula.
    An international internet site headquartered in London in a recent article said north Korea showed off its military muscle through the test of SLBM early in May. Some countries said it gave a shock to regional security. But north Korea's traditional rivals are resorting to all the more threatening acts. Neighboring countries are not making any effort for detente even though they are well aware of this. It is impossible to settle the nuclear issue without defusing tension on the Korean peninsula.
    It is by no means fortuitous that the Russian Foreign Ministry said the resumption of the six-party talks and the diplomatic solution to the issue can be possible through the defusing of the tense military and political situation on the peninsula and in its vicinity.
    It is self-evident that the greater threats the U.S. and its followers pose to the DPRK by resorting to all sorts of muscle flexing, the stronger the self-reliant defence capabilities of the DPRK will grow with main emphasis on the nuclear force. This can never be subject to controversy.
    Action is bound to invite reaction and the DPRK's reaction is stronger countermeasure.
    Taking this opportunity, we would like to solemnly warn the U.S. and its followers once again that those who step up their hostile policy toward the DPRK will only face self-destruction. -0-