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North Korea says it seeks improved relations with South

By Elizabeth Shim
A Chinese soldier stands guard outside the North Korean embassy in Beijing. North Korea said Pyongyang has been working to put an end to North-South confrontation, despite its recent statements threatening South Korea. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI
A Chinese soldier stands guard outside the North Korean embassy in Beijing. North Korea said Pyongyang has been working to put an end to North-South confrontation, despite its recent statements threatening South Korea. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo

SEOUL, April 6 (UPI) -- North Korea said it still wants to improve relations with the South despite tensions and recent threats to destroy parts of Seoul.

"Our principled position on opening the way for North-South dialogue and improved relations has not changed," North Korea's state news agency KCNA said in statement Wednesday.

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North Korea went on to say Pyongyang "put an end to North-South mistrust and confrontation despite the complex political situation in order to bring about breakthrough proposals, to generate great changes and revolution."

Pyongyang also said the two sides should abide by the June 15 North–South Joint Declaration that was signed by former leader Kim Jong Il and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung in 2000.

There was no immediate response from the South, and Seoul has previously dismissed a North Korean call for "negotiations" with the United States.

Recent activity has also raised suspicions, including at the {link:Yongbyon nuclear complex. : "https://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2016/04/04/North-Korea-activity-detected-at-Yongbyon-nuclear-complex/7651459826995/" target="_blank"}

The Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, D.C., issued a report Tuesday, stating that it's highly likely Pyongyang has been extracting plutonium for nuclear weapons.

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According to the organization, it is possible the North has produced 10-15 pounds of plutonium after 2013. To manufacture one nuclear weapon, about 2-4 pounds of plutonium is required.

There is some skepticism in Seoul, however, that the North has mastered the capability to miniaturize nuclear weapons that can be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM.

But the North has been making progress on other fronts, according to South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo.

North Korea's solid-fuel missiles can now fire four minutes faster, and while the North doesn't have miniaturization capabilities, Seoul is staying "cautious" in case of new developments, Han said.

Pyongyang's 300-mm multiple-rocket launchers have also made significant improvements, Han said.

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