The U.S. unwarranted demand that there has to be progress in the denuclearization before the conclusion of the treaty can never be accepted, the statement said, adding:

The U.S. far-fetched assertion that the DPRK has to dismantle nuclear weapons first is aimed to shun the conclusion of the treaty.

The nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula is the product of the U.S. hostile policy toward the DPRK and it spawned as the U.S. has threatened the DPRK with nuclear weapons which it brought to south Korea in wanton violation of the Armistice Agreement.

All problems can be settled only when the U.S. concludes a peace treaty and withdraws its hostile policy toward the DPRK.

The conclusion of a peace treaty between the DPRK and the U.S. is a key to durable peace on the Korean Peninsula.

The conclusion also benefits the U.S. for its security.

The U.S. has to accept the DPRK's proposal.

Its conclusion will pave the way for realizing the denuclearization of the peninsula, for withdrawing the U.S. forces and nuclear weapons from south Korea and realizing independent and peaceful reunification of Korea.

We support the DPRK's stand.