(2nd LD) N.K. leader says no reason to keep moratorium on ICBM tests, warns of 'new strategic weapon'

(ATTN: UPDATES with Pompeo's remarks; ADDS Kim's remarks in last 4 paras)
By Koh Byung-joon

SEOUL, Jan. 1 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said he sees no reason to stick to his commitment to suspend nuclear and long-range missile tests and will soon show off a "new strategic weapon," accusing the United States of stalling for time for its own political interests, according to state media Wednesday.

Still, however, Kim appeared to have left room for negotiations as he also said during a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party that how much the North will bolster its "nuclear deterrent" will depend on the future U.S. attitude.

Kim said it was part of his efforts to build confidence with the U.S. that he suspended tests of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), but Washington responded with joint military exercises with South Korea and more sanctions on Pyongyang.

"Under such condition, there is no ground for us to get unilaterally bound to the commitment any longer, the commitment to which there is no opposite party, and this is chilling our efforts for worldwide nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation," the KCNA quoted Kim as saying during the party meeting.

Kim also said the North should "more actively push forward the project for developing strategic weapons" and "the world will witness a new strategic weapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future," according to KCNA.

The DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

In Washington, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he hopes the North will choose peace.

"It remains the case that we hope Chairman Kim will take a different course," Pompeo told Fox News. "We're hopeful that Chairman Kim will make the right decision, (that) he'll choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war. ... I saw that reporting. I hope he doesn't go in that direction."

Kim said the North "cannot give up the security of our future just for the visible economic results and happiness and comfort in reality now that hostile acts and nuclear threat against us are increasing," KCNA said.

"We further hardened our resolution never to barter the security and dignity of the state and the safety of its future for anything else," KCNA quoted Kim as saying.

The North has threatened to take a "new way" if Washington fails to offer concessions in their denuclearization talks before the end of last year, hinting that Pyongyang would end diplomacy and revert to provocative acts.

Kim warned of a "shocking actual action" to make the U.S. pay for "abusing denuclearization talks, saying that the "powerful nuclear deterrent" capable of containing threats from the U.S. will be placed on "constant alert." He, however, hinted that Pyongyang has not completely abandoned talks, saying that its future action could depend upon the U.S. attitude.

"We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the U.S. and guaranteeing our long-term security, noting that the scope and depth of bolstering our deterrent will be properly coordinated depending on the U.S. future attitude to the DPRK," Kim was quoted as saying.

Denuclearization talks have been stalled since the second summit between Kim and U.S. President Donald Trump ended without an agreement due to wide differences over how to match Pyongyang's denuclearization measures and Washington's sanctions relief.

Pyongyang has wanted major sanctions relief to bolster its economy in exchange for closing the key nuclear test complex in Yongbyon. Washington has called for more denuclearization steps. The two sides met again in October in Stockholm but failed to narrow their differences.

Observers say that North Korea could resume tests of nuclear weapons and intercontinental ballistic missiles in protest of stalled denuclearization talks. Adding to the speculation, the North conducted what appears to be an engine test at its west coast satellite launch site last month.

Pyongyang declared a moratorium on nuclear and ICBM tests in April 2018, a symbolic gesture that led to Kim's first-ever summit with U.S. President Donald Trump two months later. Pyongyang has claimed that it has taken substantive denuclearization steps and asked for Washington's corresponding measures.

Kim said there will "never be the denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula" and the North will continue to develop strategic weapons until the U.S. withdraws its "hostile policy" toward its regime, according to the KCNA.

He emphasized the importance of self-reliance and belt-tightening in fighting what would be a protracted struggle against sanctions and pressure led by the U.S.

"We should never dream that the U.S. and the hostile forces would leave us alone to live in peace, but we should make a frontal breakthrough with the might of self-reliance to tide over the difficulties lying in the way of advancing the socialist construction," he said.

"It is our firm revolutionary faith to defend the country's dignity and defeat imperialism through self-prosperity even though we tighten our belts."

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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