PYONGYANG, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea(DPRK) on Friday blamed South Korea for accelerating the buildup of arms to worsen the situation on the Korean Peninsula.

    In a commentary carried by the leading official newspaper Rodong Sinmun, the DPRK described South Korea's act of developing ultra-modern war equipment as "an open provocation and challenge to the DPRK and an anti-national crime."

    "The south Korean bellicose forces' frenzied development of ultra-modern war equipment ... is a clear revelation of their pro-U.S. sycophantic traitorous nature of betraying the nation as henchmen of outside forces ... ," said the newspaper.

    "The Korean nation will never pardon the pro-U.S. warmongers hurting national dignity and interests," it added.

Report: U.S. asks Canada to police sanctions against DPRK

    OTTAWA, Nov. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United States has asked Canada's navy to help patrol the high seas for illicit nuclear cargo going to or from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK),a local newspaper said.

    Canadian and American officials discussed naval co-operation last week in Ottawa, the Globe and Mail reported Friday. Full Story

U.S. prominent lawmaker calls for new policy on DPRK

    WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A high-profile U.S. lawmaker said on Wednesday that President George W. Bush should work out new policy on the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK).

    Sanctions against the DPRK for its underground nuclear test last month is not a substitute for an effective new approach toward Pyongyang, Rep. Tom Lantos of California told a hearing. Full Story

Japan, U.S. against lifting DPRK sanctions

    TOKYO, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso and visiting senior U.S. diplomats agreed on Monday that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) should abandon all nuclear programs in line with U.N. resolutions and that U.N. and Japanese sanctions would remain in place even after the meeting started.

China calls for early resumption of six-party talks

    BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- China urged on Tuesday all parties involved in the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue to move to an early resumption of the stranded six-party talks.

    "An early resumption of the talks is in the interest of each of the six parties and fulfills the hope of the international community," said Jiang Yu, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.