The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said Thursday that it wants to resolve the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula peacefully through dialogue. 

In the editorial jointly released by the country's three leading newspapers as a New Year message, the DPRK said seeking a negotiated peaceful solution to the nuclear issue is its invariable principle stand.

The DPRK also reiterated that it will react with the toughest measures to the US hard-line policy.

On its diplomatic ties, the DPRK said it will in the future develop its relations with countries of the world in the spirit of independence, peace and friendship.

The editorial also urged the nation to pursue rapid economic and technological growth so as to build a prosperous nation. 

Although no important breakthrough was made in the first round of six-party nuclear talks which was attended by China, the DPRK, Japan, Russia, South Korea and the United States in Beijing at the end of August, 2003, all participants agreed to continue the multilateral negotiations in the next round of talks.

The DPRK has expressed its willingness to hold the next round of six-party talks early this year.

(Xinhua News Agency January 2, 2004)