Epic Fail: North Korea Rejects U.S. Offer of Direct Talks, Demands Withdrawal From Region

WASHINGTON – North Korea has upped the ante in response to a U.S. call for direct negotiations to lessen tensions on the Korean Peninsula by demanding that the U.S. first withdraw from that part of the world altogether.

However, the tensions are not likely to recede right away because such a position is judged to be a non-starter in the dispute over Pyongyang’s development of nuclear weapons and missile capabilities.

While U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry recently said that the U.S. is prepared for direct talks with Pyongyang to lessen tensions, a North Korean statement said that the pre-condition that it first dismantle its nuclear weapons program is unacceptable.

“The U.S. should understand that a dialogue will begin only when the DPRK’s demand for the withdrawal of strategic offensive means in the vicinity of the peninsula aimed at realizing the U.S. world domination strategy is met,” the statement said.

This statement follows a North Korean rejection of talks on which WND recently reported.

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