Top > World > 2006 > December > 2006-12-31

North Korea: Sanctions will achieve nothing

The North Korean press praised Kim Yong Chun`s heroic stand against the countries enemies Sunday, a day after the country`s chief of staff threatened to take military action against the economic sanctions imposed by the United States. This is a result of the unsuccessful end of the multisided talks on the nuclear disarmament of South Korea last week.

"Sanctions and pressure will never work on (North Korea). If the hostile forces continue escalating sanctions and pressure against (the North), it will resolutely react to them with stronger countermeasures," Kim Yong Chun said in a television speech. Kim didn`t elaborate on what exactly he plans to do. The Rodong Sinmun newspaper praised the North Korean leader for his "iron-like pluck and grit" and for his attempt at building a military powerful enough to hold off any enemy, who`d dare confront North Korea. The newspaper also said the county was prepared to "mercilessly punish aggressors trying to pick a fight with us", a reference to the country`s October 9 nuclear test.

The multisided talks, held in Beijing last week, after a 13 month break due to Pyongyang`s refusal brought as retaliation to American economic sanctions, ended on Friday after a stalemate. During the five days of discussions, North Korean, American, Chinese, Japanese and Russian representatives discussed North Korea`s nuclear ambitions. There have been reports that a US-Korean consultation may take place in New York near the end of January to discuss the economic sanctions against North Korea.