If the Republic of Korea insists on discussing nuclear issues as a precondition for improved relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), inter-Korean relations will worsen, the official Rodong Sinmun daily said yesterday. The commentary said the DPRK's nuclear weapons were means for self-defense and would not impose any threat to Seoul.

The nuclear issue, which is "a result of US hostile policy," would be resolved when the US dropped its anti-DPRK policy," it said.

Xinhua