The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Thursday said if the Korean peninsula is to be nuclear-free, it is necessary to clear all the US nuclearweapons in and near South Korea, eliminating all possibilities of South Korea going nuclear.

"This is a focal point and the master key to denuclearizing thepeninsula," said the major newspaper Rodong Sinmun in a commentary.

"The DPRK cannot remain a mere onlooker given the fact that theUS is persistently pursuing its policy to stifle the DPRK with nukes," the article said, adding that "the DPRK's possession of nuclear weapons is an exercise of its legitimate right of self-defense and a measure for just defense as it aims to avert a war and protect its ideology and system, freedom and democracy from the US increasing nuclear threat and its attempt of preemptive nuclear attack."

The nuclear issue between the DPRK and the US can find a smoothsolution if the US stops saying empty words but takes practical measures to improve bilateral relations instead, the commentary said.

Source: Xinhua