Recalling that the NDC spokesman in the important statement proposed high-level talks with the U.S. in which both sides can sincerely discuss wide-ranging issues including easing military tensions, replacing the Armistice Agreement by a peace mechanism and "building world without nuclear weapons" suggested by the U.S., the statement said:

We welcome the proposal of the DPRK as we make efforts for the peace and security on the Korean Peninsula.

The U.S. should not escalate tensions, shunning dialogue and negotiations, but positively respond to the proposal of the DPRK without delay.

The Korean people and the international community are urging the U.S. to draw a due lesson from its responsibility for having pushed the situation on the peninsula to acute confrontation and the brink of war and to ensure peace and security in the region through dialogue and negotiations.

The U.S. should bear in mind that the denuclearization and lasting peace on the peninsula can be achieved only through dialogue and negotiations.