Turkey concerned over North Korea's nuclear move

By Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey on Friday expressed concern over North Korea's statement on ending moratorium on nuclear missile tests.

"We are concerned by the statement of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) that has indicated the end of the moratorium on nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests," said the Foreign Ministry.

"It is important to resume the dialogue process initiated in 2018 with the aim of achieving lasting peace and complete and verifiable denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula and refrain from provocative actions which would lead to further escalation in the region," the ministry added.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on Wednesday said he will end the suspension of nuclear and long-range missile tests he committed to last year, warning his country will soon introduce "new strategic weapons."

Last September, U.S. President Donald Trump imposed fresh sanctions on North Korea, critically blocking individuals, companies, and financial institutions from doing business with that country.

Since becoming U.S. president in 2017, Trump has met with Kim three times in a bid to persuade him to give up his nuclear and missile programs. But talks have stalled and Kim had given Trump until the end of 2019 to make concessions.