The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday expressed willingness to settle the nuclear issue during the forthcoming six-party talks.

This will occur only if the Unites States respects DPRK and its system and Washington is willing to build up confidence with DPRK by normalizing bilateral relations and maintaining peaceful coexistence with DPRK on a legal basis, the DPRK foreign spokesman told Xinhua before the six-party talks.

"Not a single nuclear weapon will be needed for us if the US nuclear threat is removed and its hostile policy of 'bringing down the DPRK's system' is withdrawn," the spokesman added.

"It is important that the US changes its hostile policy toward the DPRK and has the willingness to coexist with DPRK," the spokesman said.

The US should respect the DPRK's sovereignty and normalize political and economic relations with it, by delabelling DPRK as "a supporter of terrorism," lifting sanctions against it, and offering a "definite assurance" of non-aggression against it, the spokesman stressed.

He also demanded the US not to disturb the DPRK's economic cooperation with other countries.

The spokesman stressed that it's the DPRK's persistent attitude to realize the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula through dialogue and consultation.

It is essential for the relevant parties to hold in-depth discussion on the ways and methods to reach that goal during the coming talks, the spokesman said.

He also thanked China for its efforts to resume the talks.

Source: Xinhua