Pyongyang, November 18 (KCNA) -- A round-table talk was held at the Russian Technical Glass Research Institute on Nov. 14 in connection with the fact that General Secretary Kim Jong Il gave answers to questions put by ITAR-TASS of Russia.

Kim Jong Il's answers are important guidelines in developing the Russia-DPRK relations in various fields including politics, economy, culture and military affairs, the first vice director-general of the Institute said, adding:

In his answers Kim Jong Il showed the will of the Korean people to develop the bilateral relations.

We consider that Russia and the DPRK should further expand and develop their friendly relations in the orientation indicated by him.

The vice director-general for science said:

Kim Jong Il said the nuclear issue of the Korean Peninsula was spawned by the U.S. constantly threatening the sovereignty and security of the Korean people. This is quite right. He made clear the principled stand of the DPRK on the prospect of normalization of relations with the U.S. and Japan.

The U.S. and Japan should respond to this.