N Korea-G7 statement
N. Korea blasts G7 statement on its nuclear, missile programs, vows to bolster 'self-defense' capabilities
SEOUL, July 2 (Yonhap) -- North Korea said Saturday it will never back down on its move to beef up its "self-defense" measures against threats from the United States.
Pyongyang was taking issue with the latest statement issued by the leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) following their summit in Germany earlier this week.
They urged Pyongyang to abandon its nuclear and missile programs in a "complete, verifiable and irreversible manner."
In response, Jo Chol-su, director of the international organization bureau at North Korea's foreign ministry, said the regime's self-defense measures to bolster its defense capabilities are aimed at protecting the nation and national interests from threats of the U.S., which is "the world's largest nuclear power and destroyer of international peace and security," according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The U.S. is a member of the G-7 along with Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Japan.
Jo added, "We will never back down in the path of justice to defend our nation's dignity and sovereignty, no matter what anyone says."
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