North Korea vowed Feb. 19 not to dismantle its nuclear program – not even in exchange for economic aid — as long as the United States continues a “hostile policy”, reports CNN. The US believes North Korea has enough weapons-grade plutonium to build a half dozen nuclear bombs. The reclusive Communist nation last year cut off six-party talks involving the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia, in anger over international criticism of its nuclear and missile tests. North Korea has made it clear it is in no rush to resume the stalled talks aimed at persuading the country to give up its nuclear weapons arsenal. While observers said that North Korea’s dire economic conditions, including a severe food shortage, could bring it back to the bargaining table, the isolationist country said it feels no obligation to barter based on food, fuel or funding.
