NKorea dismisses US-Japan talks, stresses commitment to nuclear build-up

SEOUL: North Korea said on Saturday that its nuclear weapons are meant solely for combat use against enemies threatening its people and world peace, and not for negotiations.

The statement comes after US President Donald Trump hosted Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the White House on Friday. The two leaders expressed their commitment to ensuring North Korea ends its nuclear weapons programme.

KCNA did not mention the meeting between the US and Japanese leaders but instead cited reported comments by officials of NATO and the EU that reiterated demands for a complete denuclearisation of North Korea.

"We say this clearly again: our nuclear weapons are not an advertisement to get anyone's recognition and even less a bargaining chip to be exchanged for some money," KCNA said in a statement.

"Our nuclear forces are for unwavering combat use to swiftly eliminate any attempts by enemy forces that infringe on our country's sovereignty and the safety of our people and threaten world peace," it said.

North Korea has not responded directly to overtures from Trump to resume contact with its leader Kim Jong Un and instead stressed its intention to "bolster" its nuclear forces.

Trump said on Friday he "will have relations with North Korea and with Kim Jong Un," adding he had a good rapport with Kim. The two held unprecedented summit meetings during Trump's first presidency.

On January 20 when he was inaugurated for his second term, Trump said the North was a "nuclear power," raising questions whether he would pursue arms reduction talks rather than denuclearisation negotiations.

"The two leaders expressed their serious concerns over and the need to address North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes and reaffirmed their resolute commitment to the complete denuclearisation of North Korea," a joint statement by Trump and Ishiba issued after their talks said.