N. Korea Won’t Drop Nuclear Arms, Minister Tells UN

North Korea won’t give up its nuclear weapons while U.S. aircraft carriers are deployed near the Korean peninsula, the communist nation’s deputy foreign minister told the United Nations General Assembly today.

“As long as U.S. nuclear aircraft carriers sail around the seas of our country, our nuclear deterrent can never be abandoned but should be strengthened further,” Vice Foreign Minister Pak Kil Yon said. “This is the lesson we have drawn.”

North Korea detonated nuclear weapons in May 2009 and in July 2006.

The Korean peninsula “would have already been turned into a war field scores of times,” Pak said, “had it not been for the powerful war deterrent built.”

“It is not surprising that we are hearing strident statements during its high-level meeting,” State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley said. “Our actions in the region are geared towards peace and stability. If North Korea takes action to de-nuclearize and build constructive relationships with other countries, including the United States, it has nothing to fear from the United States.”