NHK, 23March 2018— North Korea has called on the United States to lift its sanctions against the country.

A commentary in Friday’s edition of the ruling party newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, said the current positive atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula is the sole result of North Korea’s initiative and efforts.

It also noted that if the US maintains its sanctions, this would mean that the country has not given up its hostile policy towards North Korea. The commentary repeated North Korea’s view that the sanctions have failed.

Pyongyang has yet to officially comment on a possible meeting by May between US President Donald Trump and the country’s leader, Kim Jong Un. This would be the first summit of a North Korean leader and a sitting US president.