N. Korea says it may retain weapons after normalized ties with US

SEOUL, Jan. 17 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it will not give up its nuclear weapons until it feels safe from what it called the ever-present U.S. nuclear "threats" against it.

The statement from the North's foreign ministry confirmed the communist
country's current policy but comes only three days before U.S. President-elect
Barack Obama is scheduled to be inaugurated.
"Normalization of diplomatic relations and the nuclear issue are entirely
different issues from start to finish," a ministry spokesman said, declaring that
Pyongyang could keep its nuclear weapons even if the United States agrees to
normalize relations with it.
"Even if the DPRK-U.S. normalization of relations is achieved, the nuclear status
of our country will never founder as long as the U.S. nuclear threat remains even
a bit," he said.
The North's comment comes amid a stalemate in six-nation talks aimed at ending
the North's nuclear weapons program.
North Korea has confirmed its commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula but
differed over how to verify its nuclear declaration made in June.
As part of his campaign pledge, Obama has repeatedly voiced his support for
direct dialogue with North Korea to resolve the nuclear tension.
North Korea conducted its first known nuclear test in 2006.
samkim@yna.co.kr