国际英语新闻:DPRK calls for direct talks in response to Washington's new proposal

PYONGYANG, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday called for a direct dialogue with the United States at any place and at any time in response to a new U.S. proposal.

In a statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency, Kim Myong Gil, roving ambassador of the Foreign Ministry, said he cannot understand why the U.S Department of State sent Pyongyang a message saying it hopes to meet with DPRK officials in December through a third party.

"If the U.S. side has found a solution to be presented to us, it can just explain it to us directly," the roving ambassador said.

"If the negotiated solution of issues is possible, we are ready to meet with the U.S. (officials) at any place and any time," he added.

Kim also warned that if Washington fails to put forth a basic solution for ending its hostile anti-DPRK policy, there will be no possibility for a settlement for the issues of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim said he feels that the U.S. side is not yet ready to give a satisfactory answer to the DPRK and its proposal for a dialogue is but a trick to earn time.

The DPRK has set the end of this year as a deadline for Washington to offer a deal which is realistic and acceptable to it. In the past two months, it has warned Washington several times that it will be a mistake for Washington to ignore the deadline.