The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Monday urged the United States to abandon its hostile policy against the country and sign a peace agreement to replace the Korean War Armistice Agreement.
The current serious situation on the Korean Peninsula has proved that it is necessary to establish mutual trust between the two countries to eliminate the risk of war, according to a commentary published by Rodong Sinmun, the DPRK's leading official newspaper.
Therefore, a peace agreement should be signed to change the belligerent relationship between the two countries into a peaceful and trusting one, it said.
The situation on the peninsula last year not only proved that the Armistice Agreement could not prevent the accidental military conflict from taking place nor guarantee peace and stability, but also indicated the urgency of signing a peace agreement, the commentary said.
It is the DPRK's "firm position and will" to guarantee peace in northeastern Asia and achieve the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and a peace agreement won't block the denuclearization but promote the process, it said.
To sign a peace agreement is not an act of charity or a sign of loss, but good for every party, including the DPRK, the United States and the international community, according to the commentary.
It also urged the United States to abandon its hostile policy against the DPRK and create stability and peace through dialogue and negotiation.