North Korea claims it will denuclearize

SEOUL, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- North Korea said Thursday it will denuclearize in the coming year and rebuild its ailing economy.

The statement was seen as a possible bid for a fresh start with the United States.

Pyongyang continued criticism of Seoul in a joint newspaper editorial that summed up policy goals for 2009.

But officials made no hostile mention of Washington, which inaugurates a new administration in three weeks. Yonhap news service said.

Six-party talks aimed at denuclearizing North Korea are on hold until after Barack Obama takes office on Jan. 20.

Some observers say Pyongyang sees the Obama inauguration as an opportunity to start afresh after eight years of largely sour relations with the outgoing Bush administration.

North Korea is expected to continue to uphold its military-first policy, but this year's statement showed an increased focus on the economy, particularly on feeding its people.