November 16, 2025Nov 16, 2025
KCNA KCNA.kp (En)

Press Statement by First Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of DPRK

Date: 16/05/2018 | Source: KCNA.kp (En) | Read original version at source

Pyongyang, May 16 (KCNA) -- Kim Kye Gwan, first vice-minister of Foreign Affairs of the DPRK, made public the following press statement on Wednesday:

Kim Jong Un, chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, made a strategic decision to put an end to the unpleasant history of the DPRK-U.S. relations and met Pompeo, U.S. secretary of state, for two times during his visit to our country and took very important and broad-minded steps for peace and stability in the Korean peninsula and the world.

In response to the noble intention of Chairman Kim Jong Un, President Trump stated his position for terminating the historically deep-rooted hostility and improving the relations between the DPRK and the U.S.

I appreciated the position positively with an expectation that upcoming DPRK-U.S. summit would be a big step forward for catalyzing détente on the Korean peninsula and building a great future.

But now prior to the DPRK-U.S. summit, unbridled remarks provoking the other side of dialogue are recklessly made in the U.S. and I am totally disappointed as these constitute extremely unjust behavior.

High-ranking officials of the White House and the Department of State including Bolton, White House national security adviser, are letting loose the assertions of so-called Libya mode of nuclear abandonment, "complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearization", "total decommissioning of nuclear weapons, missiles, biochemical weapons". etc, while talking about formula of "abandoning nuclear weapons first, compensating afterwards".

This is not an expression of intention to address the issue through dialogue. It is essentially a manifestation of awfully sinister move to impose on our dignified state the destiny of Libya or Iraq which had been collapsed due to yielding the whole of their countries to big powers.

I cannot suppress indignation at such moves of the U.S., and harbor doubt about the U.S. sincerity for improved DPRK-U.S. relations through sound dialogue and negotiations.

World knows too well that our country is neither Libya nor Iraq which have met miserable fate.

It is absolutely absurd to dare compare the DPRK, a nuclear weapon state, to Libya which had been at the initial stage of nuclear development.

We shed light on the quality of Bolton already in the past, and we do not hide our feeling of repugnance towards him.

If the Trump administration fails to recall the lessons learned from the past when the DPRK-U.S. talks had to undergo twists and setbacks owing to the likes of Bolton and turns its ear to the advice of quasi-"patriots" who insist on Libya mode and the like, prospects of upcoming DPRK-U.S. summit and overall DPRK-U.S. relations will be crystal clear.

We have already stated our intention for denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and made clear on several occasions that precondition for denuclearization is to put an end to anti-DPRK hostile policy and nuclear threats and blackmail of the United States.

But now, the U.S. is miscalculating the magnanimity and broad-minded initiatives of the DPRK as signs of weakness and trying to embellish and advertise as if these are the product of its sanctions and pressure.

The U.S. is trumpeting as if it would offer economic compensation and benefit in case we abandon nuke. But we have never had any expectation of U.S. support in carrying out our economic construction and will not at all make such a deal in future, either.

It is a ridiculous comedy to see that the Trump administration, claiming to take a different road from the previous administrations, still clings to the outdated policy on the DPRK - a policy pursued by previous administrations at the time when the DPRK was at the stage of nuclear development.

If President Trump follows in the footsteps of his predecessors, he will be recorded as more tragic and unsuccessful president than his predecessors, far from his initial ambition to make unprecedented success.

If the Trump administration takes an approach to the DPRK-U.S. summit with sincerity for improved DPRK-U.S. relations, it will receive a deserved response from us. However, if the U.S. is trying to drive us into a corner to force our unilateral nuclear abandonment, we will no longer be interested in such dialogue and cannot but reconsider our proceeding to the DPRK-U.S. summit. -0-

More From KCNA.kp (En)

Visiting Two Fishery Stations on Mother's Day

Visiting Two Fishery Stations on Mother's Day

On November 16, 2016, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the May 27 Fishery Station. That day, the respected General

November 16, 2025

On November 16, 2016, the respected Comrade Kim Jong Un visited the May 27 Fishery Station. That day, the respected General

Benevolent Father of All Women

Benevolent Father of All Women

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- On the occasion of Mother's Day (November 16), warm congratulations are being offered to all the

November 16, 2025

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- On the occasion of Mother's Day (November 16), warm congratulations are being offered to all the

DPRK Team Advances into Round of 16 for 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup

DPRK Team Advances into Round of 16 for 2025 FIFA U-17 World Cup

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- The DPRK team had a match with the Venezuelan team on Nov. 15 (local time) in the round of 32 for

November 16, 2025

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- The DPRK team had a match with the Venezuelan team on Nov. 15 (local time) in the round of 32 for

Farmers of Songam Farm in Nampho Municipality Move into New Houses

Farmers of Songam Farm in Nampho Municipality Move into New Houses

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality, the DPRK, moved into new

November 16, 2025

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Farmers of the Songam Farm in Taean District, Nampho Municipality, the DPRK, moved into new

Pride of Mothers

Pride of Mothers

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- All the DPRK people are significantly greeting Mother's Day, showing their respect and love for

November 16, 2025

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- All the DPRK people are significantly greeting Mother's Day, showing their respect and love for

Greeting Cards Produced in DPRK to Mark Mother's Day

Greeting Cards Produced in DPRK to Mark Mother's Day

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Various greeting cards were produced in the DPRK on the occasion of Mother's Day. The cards

November 16, 2025

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Various greeting cards were produced in the DPRK on the occasion of Mother's Day. The cards

Lao FM Leaves Pyongyang

Lao FM Leaves Pyongyang

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and his party

November 16, 2025

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Thongsavanh Phomvihane, foreign minister of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, and his party

DPRK Premier Inspects Industrial Establishments

DPRK Premier Inspects Industrial Establishments

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the

November 16, 2025

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Pak Thae Song, member of the Presidium of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the

Delegation of Russian News Agency Leaves for Home

Delegation of Russian News Agency Leaves for Home

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the Russian news agency Segodnya led by First Deputy Editor-in-Chief Sergei

November 15, 2025

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- The delegation of the Russian news agency Segodnya led by First Deputy Editor-in-Chief Sergei

Press Review

Press Review

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Saturday: -

November 15, 2025

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Saturday: -

Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 Opens in DPRK

Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 Opens in DPRK

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in

November 15, 2025

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- The Tourist Souvenir Exhibition-2025 opened with due ceremony at the Okryu Exhibition House in

Mining Industry Sector Readjusted and Reinforced in DPRK

Mining Industry Sector Readjusted and Reinforced in DPRK

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- The mining industry sector of the DPRK has concluded the readjustment and reinforcement planned

November 15, 2025

Pyongyang, November 15 (KCNA) -- The mining industry sector of the DPRK has concluded the readjustment and reinforcement planned

Special Nursery at April 25 Hostel

Special Nursery at April 25 Hostel

One problem was raised in preparing for the Fourth National Conference of Mothers in November 2012. The problem was related to

November 15, 2025

One problem was raised in preparing for the Fourth National Conference of Mothers in November 2012. The problem was related to

Mushroom Production Goes up in DPRK

Mushroom Production Goes up in DPRK

Pyongyang, November 14 (KCNA) -- Mushroom farms across the DPRK are increasing the production by introducing advanced technology,

November 14, 2025

Pyongyang, November 14 (KCNA) -- Mushroom farms across the DPRK are increasing the production by introducing advanced technology,

Preparations for Running Regional-industry Factories in DPRK

Preparations for Running Regional-industry Factories in DPRK

Pyongyang, November 14 (KCNA) -- Preparations for running the regional-industry factories under construction in different parts of

November 14, 2025

Pyongyang, November 14 (KCNA) -- Preparations for running the regional-industry factories under construction in different parts of

Press Review

Press Review

Pyongyang, November 14 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Friday: - The

November 14, 2025

Pyongyang, November 14 (KCNA) -- Following are major news items and articles in leading newspapers of the DPRK on Friday: - The

More Articles