N.Korea wants to end its hostility with South Korea

New Delhi, Jan 1 (ANI): North Korea has reportedly called on South Korea to come forward for a dialogue, saying both countries should end their hostilities.

Malaysian daily The Star quoted the three main North Korean newspapers including the Rodong Sinmun as saying in a joint editorial that: "Confrontation between north and south should be defused as early as possible."

"Active efforts should be made to create an atmosphere of dialogue and cooperation between north and south by placing the common interests of the nation above anything else," the editorial added.

It further said that the country's top priority is to remove all nuclear weapons from the Korean Peninsula. Two months ago, Pyongyang revealed advanced efforts to enrich uranium, alarming regional powers because it could offer it a second way to make nuclear weapons-grade material.

"The North is consistent in its stand and will to achieve peace in Northeast Asia and denuclearization of the whole of the Korean peninsula," the joint editorial clainmed.

Tension between the rival Koreas rose sharply after the North shelled an island in the South near their disputed sea border, killing four including two civilian residents.

In March last year, Seoul blamed Pyongyang for torpedoing one of its navy ships, killing 46 sailors. The North has denied the charge. (ANI)