Normalization of U.S.-DPRK relations "certainly possible": spokesman

WASHINGTON, July 22 (Xinhua) -- The normalization of relations between the United States and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is "certainly possible," but it depends on Pyongyang's behaviors, said the U.S. State Department on Wednesday.

"If the North (Korea) returns to the table and takes steps to bring about a verifiable and irreversible end to its nuclear program, we would certainly look at a comprehensive approach to incentives and opportunities," said State Department spokesman Robert Wood at the daily press briefing.

"What I mean by that in terms of opportunities is a normalization of relations is certainly possible," said Wood, but stressing that "we're not going to reward the North for steps that it should have taken."

"The North has to show a commitment to denuclearization. And --but the North cannot be rewarded for the behavior that it's exhibited and has to address the concerns of the international community. Otherwise, we're not going to be able to move forward," said the spokesman.

According to an agreement signed at the six-party talks in February 2007, the Bush administration agreed to begin discussion on normalization of relations with the DPRK in exchange for Pyongyang's shutdown of its nuclear facilities.

The talks on normalizing the U.S.-DPRK relations were kicked off in March 2007, but few developments have been made because the denuclearization process on the Korean Peninsula was often drawn in the stalemate.

Dismissing international opposition, the DPRK conducted an underground nuclear test on May 25 and since then has fired at least seven ballistic missiles. It also boycotted the six-party talks on its nuclear program.

Responding to Pyongyang's behavior, the Obama administration has decided to extend economic sanctions by prolonging the national emergency on the DPRK, and has vowed to enforce sanctions against Pyongyang set in UN Security Council Resolution 1874.