Asia-Pacific

DPRK rebuffs ROK's invitation to summit

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-05-12 10:59

SEOUL, South Korea - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has rejected an offer from the Republic of Korea (ROK) to host leader Kim Jong Il at an international nuclear summit in Seoul next year.

ROK President Lee Myung-bak made the proposal Monday in Berlin following a summit with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. He conditioned the offer on DPRK giving up its nuclear weapons program.

DPRK Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea said Wednesday the proposal is a "ridiculous" attempt to disarm the DPRK by raising its nuclear disarmament as a condition for dialogue.

An unidentified committee spokesman warns in a statement that the DPRK will never forgive those hurting the country's dignity.