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Spotlight-1st LD Writethru: DPRK says to suspend nuke test if South Korea-U.S. joint military drills halt in 2015

Xinhua, January 10, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Saturday it is ready to "temporarily suspend" nuclear test if the United States agrees to temporarily halt joint military exercises with South Korea this year.

The DPRK government made a "crucial" proposal Friday to the U.S. side demanding suspension of joint military drills to be conducted with South Korea for this year, which "contributes to easing tension on the Korean Peninsula," said a report released by the official KCNA news agency.

Pyongyang will in response temporarily suspend nuclear test, it said.

This is an effort made by the DPRK government in a move to "remove the danger of war, ease tension and create a peaceful climate on the Korean Peninsula," said the report, which echoed top DPRK leader Kim Jong Un's appeal in his televised New Year's address on Jan. 1.

It is prompted by desires of all Korean people to "open up a broad avenue to independent reunification in 2015" to mark the 70th anniversary of the division of the nation, it said.

The message sent to Washington has clarified Pyongyang's stance that the DPRK "is ready to sit with the U.S. anytime" if Washington needs to hold talks with Pyongyang regarding the issue, said the report.

The United States should drop its anachronistic anti-Pyongyang policy and make a bold policy shift, the KCNA said.

Pyongyang on Wednesday asked the United States to lift "all unreasonable sanctions" against the DPRK and to "make a bold decision to unconditionally stop all reckless hostile acts" toward Pyongyang.

Each year, South Korea and the United States conduct a number of joint military drills including "Foal Eagle" and "Ulchi Freedom Guardian". Endi