PYONGYANG, March 11 (Xinhuanet) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Saturday denounced the United States for its biased nuclear policy and demanded the DPRK be treated the same way as those countries possessing nuclear weapons outside the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

    "The public opinion is focused on the question as to why the U.S. takes an uncompromising hard-line stand toward some countries and why it zealously protects and encourages some countries over the nuclear issue," the official Korean Central News Agency ( KCNA) said in a commentary.

    "The U.S. is still working hard to completely block the DPRK's nuclear activities for a peaceful purpose although it talks about the provision of nuclear technology and fuel for a civilian purpose and the like to those countries outside the NPT," the KCNA said.

    Last Friday, the United States decided to send nuclear fuel and expertise to India. In exchange, New Delhi pledged to open up its 14 civilian nuclear reactors to international inspectors and keep power generation separate from its military program.

    But India, which has developed nuclear weapons outside the NPT,will be allowed to keep eight sites for secret military purposes under the deal reached after intense negotiations.

    "This proves that the U.S. call for nuclear non-proliferation is nothing but sophism intended to pressurize other countries to meet its own interests," the KCNA pointed out.

    "It is our assertion that the DPRK should be treated the same way as those countries possessing nuclear weapons outside the NPT," said the KCNA.

    The DPRK has repeatedly blasted Washington for halting the construction of light water reactor in accordance with the DPRK-U.S. Agreed Framework agreement signed in 1994.

    Amid tensions, the United States imposed financial sanctions on the DPRK last year. The DPRK has said it will not return to the six-party talks on the nuclear issue if the United States doesnot lift the sanctions. Enditem