This undated picture released by Korean Central News Agency on January 17, 2009 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Il (C) inspecting the Pyongyang Silk Mill factory during a visit to the light industrial establishments in the North Korean capital. North Korea said January 17, it may keep its nuclear weapons even after normalising relations with the United States, staking out a tough position three days before President-elect Barack Obama takes office. AFP PHOTO / KCNA via KNS(Photo credit should read STR/AFP/Getty Images)
From MSNBC:
Japan-based paper reaffirms Kim Jong Il's desire for diplomatic relations.
SEOUL, South Korea - North Korea is willing to give up its nuclear weapons if President Barack Obama agrees to conditions imposed by the communist regime, including establishing formal diplomatic relations, a pro-Pyongyang newspaper said.
The Japan-based Choson Sinbo paper — considered a mouthpiece of Pyongyang — said in a story posted on its Web site hours before Obama's inauguration Tuesday that the North was waiting to see what position the new president would take on the nuclear standoff.
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My Comment: The problem with the North Koreans have always been their refusal to agree to inspections. Trust but verify .... this has always been the sore point. They may agree to give up their nukes .... but if they refuse to any verification process .... any discussion of diplomatic recognition and nuclear disarmament will be moot.