Oct 6, 2019 - World

North Korea calls U.S. position in denuclearization talks "sickening"

Ursula Perano

U.S. and N.K. flags flying by one another. — Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images

After denuclearization talks between North Korea and the United States ended in Stockholm on Saturday, a spokesperson for North Korea's foreign ministry said negotiators have "no intention to hold such sickening negotiations as what happened this time."

The big picture: The two countries disagreed on how to characterize Saturday's talks, with U.S. officials claiming they planned to return to Stockholm in 2 weeks to continue what they deemed a productive conversation. North Korean officials claimed the talks "broke down."

The negotiations had been a hopeful precursor to another summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un after February talks in Hanoi collapsed.

What they're saying: The North Korean spokesperson claimed the U.S. had "not made any preparations" and is "misleading the public opinion."

"The recent negotiations have left us skeptical about the U.S. political will to improve the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea]-U.S. relations and made us think if it isn't its real intention to abuse the bilateral relations for gratifying its party interests."
"As we have clearly identified the way for solving [the] problem, the fate of the future DPRK-U.S. dialogue depends on the U.S. attitude, and the end of this year is its deadline."

Go deeper: North Korea fires first submarine-launched missile since 2016, officials say

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North Korea calls U.S. position in denuclearization talks "sickening"

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