On July 16, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) published a commentary, saying that Pyongyang will not discuss issues related to its nuclear and missile programs due to the hostile policy of the United States. KCNA made the statement in response to comments by US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson that North Korea considered provocative.

Image of North Korea's recent missile launch. Source: Reuters

Mr. Tillerson called on the international community to increase pressure on North Korea after Pyongyang successfully tested an ICBM earlier this month.

KCNA said the US should understand that there can be no dialogue on North Korea giving up its nuclear weapons until Washington ends its hostile policy toward Pyongyang.

North Korea also warned that it was time for the US to abandon its hostile policy, review its strategy toward Pyongyang and quickly end its nuclear threat, otherwise it would strengthen its military deterrence to ensure security on the Korean Peninsula and the region.

In the commentary, also published in the Rodong Sinmun, the mouthpiece of the Workers' Party of Korea, Pyongyang stressed that the US administration should "show wisdom, taking into account the strategic position of the DPRK which has reached an unprecedentedly high level."

On July 4, North Korea officially announced that it had successfully tested an ICBM under the supervision of leader Kim Jong-un, and warned that this type of missile could attack any target in the world.

This is North Korea's 10th missile launch this year and the first time Pyongyang has test-launched an ICBM.

The incident caused concern among countries in the region in particular and the international community in general, especially the United States.

Last week, US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley told the UN Security Council that Washington was ready to use its full capabilities to defend itself and its allies against the threat posed by North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.

Ambassador Haley also did not rule out the possibility that the US would use military forces if necessary./.

According to Vietnamplus