BEIJING, Dec 18: North Korea defiantly refused on Monday to give up its nuclear weapons unless global sanctions against it were lifted, as the United States warned it was losing patience with the reclusive nation. Declaring itself “satisfied” with becoming a nuclear power following its first atomic test on Oct 9, North Korea showed no signs of compromise as six-nation talks on its nuclear programme resumed here after a 13-month break.

North Korean chief envoy Kim Kye-Gwan called in his opening remarks to the talks for United Nations and US sanctions to be lifted before it would consider disarming, according to an official from one of the delegations.

The UN sanctions were imposed following North Korea’s historic atomic test, while the US financial restrictions were slapped on it late last year for alleged money laundering and counterfeiting.

“The North Koreans said they would take measures to keep strengthening their nuclear deterrent as long as sanctions and pressure continues to exist,” the official said.

The US envoy to the talks, Christopher Hill, said after the day’s events that he had told Kim the United States was running out of patience with North Korea’s refusal to give up its nuclear weapons.

“There have been lots of damages to the six-party process. There have been too many delays,” Hill told reporters.—AFP