North Korea on 2018: Do Not Expect Our Policy to Change

North Korea's official news agency reported that the country's policy regarding its nuclear program and missile tests will remain unchanged. According to Reuters, North Korea stated on Saturday, January 9, that 'do not expect a change in policy.' The report from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reviewed North Korea's missile and nuclear tests in 2017, emphasizing that as long as the United States and its allies continue 'extortion and military exercises,' Pyongyang will not abandon its nuclear weapons program. North Korea conducted a powerful nuclear test in September and launched three intercontinental ballistic missiles toward the sea in July and November. These tests sparked global outrage, and the United Nations Security Council has repeatedly tightened sanctions against Pyongyang. The U.S. and South Korea have stated they will not negotiate with North Korea unless Pyongyang shows willingness to halt its missile and nuclear weapons program. In its report, North Korea claimed it has taken steps to 'strengthen its defensive capabilities and preemptive strikes using nuclear power' against the 'nuclear threat, extortion, and military exercises' of the United States and its 'colonial forces.' North Korea frequently criticizes the annual military exercises of the U.S. and South Korea, which these countries consider defensive in nature. The North Korean news agency accused U.S. President Donald Trump of adopting hostile policies and threatening Pyongyang with discussions of preemptive strikes. The report referred to North Korea as an 'undeniable nuclear power and a new strategic system.' The North Korean state news agency added that 'do not expect a change in this country's policy. The nature of this system as an invincible power indicates that this country will neither be dominated nor subdued.' The report stated that 'the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as a responsible nuclear-armed state, will only drive the course of history towards the road of independence.' Another Reuters report indicated that South Korean customs officials announced on Sunday, January 10, that they had seized a suspicious ship carrying oil for North Korea that was sailing under a Panamanian flag. According to Seoul, this action violates UN Security Council sanctions against Pyongyang. South Korean officials, without providing details due to the sensitivity of the matter, stated that the mentioned ship was seized at the port of Pyeongtaek-Danjing. The South Korean news agency added that this ship is capable of carrying 5,100 tons of oil, and most of its crew are from China and Myanmar. The UN Security Council unanimously imposed new sanctions against North Korea in October, limiting the country's access to petroleum products and crude oil. The U.S. has also proposed to the UN Security Council to blacklist 10 ships for transferring prohibited goods from North Korea.