Question: Could you comment on U.S. media's recent report that the DPRK-U.S. working negotiations are quite likely to open in December?

Answer: As we have already reiterated several times, the DPRK-U.S. dialogue is impossible unless the U.S. makes a bold decision to drop the hostile policy towards the DPRK.

Question: It is said that the special representative of the U.S. Department of State for north Korea policy suggested having a meeting again within December through a third country. Which country is it?

Answer: It is Sweden.

Question: The United States asked Sweden to deliver the suggestion, not having direct contact with the DPRK. What is the reason?

Answer: In my opinion, the U.S. side traded on Sweden not to give impression that it fawns on the DPRK.

The DPRK appreciates the Swedish side for offering the venue for the DPRK-U.S. working negotiations and convenience early in October.

Now that the DPRK and the U.S. know each other's stand so well, Sweden no longer needs to work for the DPRK-U.S. dialogue, I think.

I am not sure that Sweden is either interested in the improvement of the DPRK-U.S. relations or beseeched by the U.S., but if the Swedish side behaves like a back-seat driver, it might be regarded as unreasonable.

It is not for lack of communication channel or mediator that the DPRK-U.S. negotiations have not yet been held.

The Swedish side would be well-advised to properly understand the situation and behave itself.

The U.S. should no longer pretend it is interested in the DPRK-U.S. dialogue, having the third country stand for it.