North Korea's Chairman Kim Jong-un criticized global sanctions against his country Friday, dampening optimistic remarks from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
After being asked by President Donald Trump for a Pyongyang update, Washington's top ambassador told a Cabinet meeting Thursday that he was hoping to "make a big step here before too long."
But the North continues to pressure the U.S. over key sticking points that seemingly stand in the way of Pyongyang's denuclearization -- including Washington's insistence on maintaining sanctions until the regime verifiably abandons its nukes.
While inspecting the construction of a coastal resort, Kim reportedly described the situation as "a do-or-die struggle".
"Such a huge and grand creation campaign as the construction of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area is an acute standoff with hostile forces trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade," Kim was quoted as saying by North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency.
Meanwhile, the North's official Rodong Sinmun carried a commentary Friday saying that the U.S. should agree to declare a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War "to pave the ground for detente and permanent peace".
The newspaper insisted that Washington "should implement phased and simultaneous measures, like the end-of-war declaration, to build mutual trust."
However, the U.S. has repeatedly stated that Pyongyang must first denuclearize before they can officially enter a state of peace.
At the risk of further upsetting Washington, Kim's number two Choe Ryong-hae is currently visiting Cuba, according to the country's Prensa Latina news agency.
Choe's trip there comes just days after Ri Yong-ho, North Korea's foreign minister, said he was building ties in Iran, another country the U.S. has difficult relations with.
