US ready to resume talks 'without preconditions' after North Korea’s nuclear stance

The Biden administration claims to have no hostile intent towards North Korea and that Washington is willing to resume talks with Pyongyang after the North officially adopted a law declaring the right to use preventive strikes against potential foreign attacks.

"As we have said, and North Korean officials, including Kim Jong-un, have publicly noted, we continue to seek diplomacy and are prepared to meet without preconditions. The DPRK continues to not respond," White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, using the initials of North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

"The United States remains focused on continuing to coordinate closely with our allies and partners to address the threats posed by DPRK," she added.

North Korean state media reported earlier Friday that Pyongyang had passed a law allowing for preemptive nuclear strikes, including in the face of conventional attacks.

North Korea’s leader Kim Jong-un said the move effectively eliminates the possibility of denuclearization talks and that the country's status as a nuclear state is now "irreversible.”

N. Korea says it will never surrender nukes or give up right to self-defense

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stresses that his country will never surrender its nuclear arsenal or use it as a bargaining chip for denuclearization with the US, North

North Korea nuclear stance a 'threat to peace'

France also condemned the North Korean decision, saying the law declaring Pyongyang’s readiness to launch preventive strikes is a "threat to international and regional peace and security.”

"This new escalation on the part of the North Korean authorities represents a threat to international and regional peace and security," the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

France "notes with great concern the increasingly aggressive declarations from North Korea," the statement added.

Two weeks ago, the United States and South Korea began their biggest joint war games in years as part of what they claimed to be countermeasures against threats from North Korea.

Seoul also called for boosting the military capability to fend off North Korean missiles, while strengthening the extended US deterrence, including its nuclear umbrella.

North Korea has test-fired a record number of missiles this year amid claims by officials in Seoul and Washington that Pyongyang appears to be preparing to test a nuclear weapon for the first time in the past five years.

S. Korea, Japan, US agree on stern response in case of North’s new nuke test

South Korea, Japan and the United States have reportedly reached a consensus on stern measures against a new nuclear test by North Korea, warning there would be no soft response if Pyongyang presses ahead with such a move.

North Korea conducted its sixth and last nuclear test in September 2017. Following inconclusive negotiations with the US, it dismantled a nuclear facility and has not conducted any other nuclear tests since then.

The US has warned it would push for additional sanctions if Pyongyang conducts a seventh nuclear test.

Back in July, the North Korean leader said his country was “ready to mobilize” its nuclear deterrent in any future military conflict with the United States and South Korea.

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