DPRK willing to improve relations with hostile countries: official newspaper

PYONGYANG, Jan. 7 (Xinhua) -- An official newspaper of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) reiterated on Thursday the government's consistent stand to improve and normalize relations with countries that had been in a hostile relationship with it "if they roll back their hostile policies towards it and respect it."

The socialism construction of the DPRK was in great need of "a peaceful environment," said an article carried by the Rodong Sinmun daily. The effort to strengthen the DPRK's defense forces was aimed at securing peace for the country's economic construction, the article said.

The DPRK has made positive efforts to establish and develop friendly relations with those countries that are friendly toward the DPRK on the principle of independence and international justice, the article said.

"With the time changed, the relations between countries were undertaking a fundamental change," it said, showing the willingness of the DPRK to improve relations with hostile countries, if they drop their hostile policies.

A joint New Year editorial by three major official media said "the fundamental task for ensuring peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the rest of Asia is to put an end to the hostile relationship between the DPRK and the USA."

The editorial also expressed willingness from the DPRK to "establish a lasting peace system on the Korean Peninsula and make it nuclear-free through dialogue and negotiations."