N. Korea seeks both nuclear status and normalized ties: military chief

By Sam Kim
SEOUL, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- North Korea appears to be holding on to its ambition
to be recognized as a nuclear state despite its pursuit of normalized relations
with the outside world, South Korea's top general said Monday.
"It is our assessment that North Korea has not altered its strategic goal of
simultaneously securing the status of a nuclear state and the stability of its
regime through the normalization of North-U.S. relations," Lee Sang-eui, chairman
of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told a forum in Seoul.
His comments came after a U.S. special envoy flew to Pyongyang last week and held
the first direct talks between his country and North Korea since U.S. President
Barack Obama took office early this year.
South Korean officials say North Korea is trying to secure the survival of its
regime by forging a peace treaty with the U.S. and dispose of the truce that
ended the 1950-53 Korean War.
The U.S., which refuses to recognize the communist state as a nuclear state
despite its two atomic tests since 2006, demands the North dismantle its nuclear
weapons programs before any peace deal.
"Through the reinforcement of its nuclear capabilities, North Korea is
strengthening its bargaining power against the U.S. and pursuing direct talks,"
Lee said, citing the May nuclear test.
Describing North Korea as "blowing hot and cold," Lee said North Korea is also
seeking the improvement of its relations with South Korea, which is also a
signatory to the 1953 truce.
"It is our projection that Kim will continue to tighten his control (over the
country), and pursue improved ties with the U.S. as well as a softening of
sanctions for economic gains," he said.
samkim@yna.co.kr