N. Korea seeks end of conflict with U.S.

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PYONGYANG, North Korea, Jan. 1 (UPI) -- North Korea, in a New Year's message Friday, expressed hope for an end to animosity with the United States and a negotiated nuclear-free Korean Peninsula.

The statement was published by the country's state-run media and comes after a U.S. envoy visited Pyongyang to urge resumption of the so-called six-party talks on North Korea's nuclear disarmament, South Korean news agency Yonhap reported.

In the editorial, North Korea said it has always worked "to establish a lasting peace system on the Korean Peninsula and make it nuclear-free through dialogue and negotiations."

"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 (North Korea) and the USA," the editorial said.

The editorial was issued by North Korea's ruling party, army and youth military, and is considered a blueprint for the country's goals for the coming year, Yonhap said.

Facing economic conditions that impoverished many of its 23 million people, North Korea declared it would work to raise its standard of living by reorganizing its industrial and agricultural bases.