The US Embassy in South Africa has reacted strongly to remarks made by the North Korean Vice President in Pretoria yesterday concerning the US, saying they are 'absurd' and a distortion the truth.

Vice-President Yang Hyong, who met with his South African counterpart Jacob Zuma in Pretoria yesterday, called on the US to apologise for its 'outposts of tyranny' statement before talks on its nuclear programme could resume.

“It is an unfortunate but common pattern,” the embassy said in a media statement.

“The US is committed to a peaceful diplomatic solution to the threat of North Korea's nuclear programmes through the Six-Party Talks. As we have repeatedly stated, we are ready to resume these talks at any time, without preconditions.

“The US has made clear at the highest levels that we have no intention to invade or attack that country. While we are committed to a multilateral diplomatic process for the resolution of North Korea's nuclear challenge, should the North Koreans choose not to take the path out of isolation that we offered to them, we will consult with our partners on appropriate future steps,” the statement continued.

The statement said, that, nearly a year ago, the US tabled a fair and reasonable proposal to which the North has still not responded.

“We and the other parties are prepared to take corresponding measures as North Korea dismantles its nuclear programmes within the framework of the talks,” the embassy added.

“Our proposal provides for multilateral security assurances, and progress toward a new relationship with North Korea if it commits and then follows through on completely dismantling its nuclear weapons and nuclear programmes, including its uranium enrichment programme, irreversibly and verifiably. Other partners in the six party process have indicated a willingness to provide energy assistance.”

The statement said North Korean nuclear programmes constitute a regional and global problem requiring a concerted diplomatic effort in response.

“North Korea must acknowledge that the key to ending its isolation from the international community is in its own hands,” it concluded.