North Korea to the negotiating table with the US and the South, stressing that the North is now driving a "peace offensive."In a commentary published late Tuesday, North Korea’s state-run KNCA news agency highlighted the "dramatic atmosphere for reconciliation" with Seoul and "a sign of change" with Washington, without referring to its summits with the two sides, which are being planned.
It said Pyongyang’s overtures came from a position of strength, not from weakness.
"The dialog peace offensive of the DPRK is an expression of self-confidence as it has acquired everything it desires," the commentary said, using the acronym for the country’s official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The piece, however, rejected suggestions that the harsh sanctions imposed on Pyongyang over its military program had forced the North to contemplate joining negotiations, slamming hawks in Washington and Seoul for alleging that the North had an ulterior motive.
"Such rubbish as ’result of sanctions and pressure’...spread by hostile forces is just as meaningless as a dog barking at the moon," it said, urging "prudence" for all parties involved.