North Korea Warns Against Criticism On Its Nuclear Program At Seoul Meet

North Korea has warned that it won't tolerate any criticism on its planned satellite launch at the Nuclear Security Summit at Seoul. North Korea has threatened the critics of its nuclear weapons program that any denigration would be considered a declaration of war, New York Times reported.

If there is any provocative act such as the issuance of a so-called statement concerning 'the North's nuclear issue' at the Seoul conference, it would constitute an extreme insult, said the North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency.

Referring to the nuclear security summit meeting to be held at Seoul next week, North Korea made it clear that it is not going to take any kind of criticism on its nuclear program lightly, in the conference. Any provocative act would be considered as a declaration of war against us, and its consequences would serve as great obstacles to talks on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, New York Times reported quoting the agency statement.

The warning came amid speculation that the venue would be used by the five world powers to discuss measures to discourage North Korea's nuclear program. North Korea's nuclear program is not on the official agenda of the conference, but the subject is expected to crop up during discussions, as the five major nuclear powers including the US will participate at the event.

North Korea had announced its plan to launch a satellite into the space in the month of April. The decision had invoked a strong response from the world powers, who argued that North Korea was violating its agreement with the UN and the US on a nuclear disarmament.

However, Pyongyang has maintained that the satellite program is for peaceful purposes and that it will stick to the decision to launch the rocket in April. The recent warning is a clear indication that the Kim regime is unwilling to tow the US or UN line on nuclear disarmament.

The Obama administration has had to face criticism from different corners for signing in a food aid deal with North Korea in exchange of a moratorium on long-range missile testing and nuclear enrichment program. The critics had argued that Pyongyang, which has a history of breaking similar agreements will repeat the same, once it receives the food aid.

Critics believe that the rocket launch announcement by the military junta within two weeks of the deal indicates Pyongyang's non-commitment to the nuclear disarmament in the region.

Meanwhile, the US and other world powers have intensified diplomatic efforts to convince Pyongyang to abandon its rocket launch program.

North Korea will be the odd man out, Asia director for the White House National Security Council Daniel Russel told the media this week. They may choose to deepen their isolation and to further strengthen the international sanctions that are constraining them, he added.