N. Korea Won’T Halt Missile Development

North Korea on Wednesday refused to stop developing missiles for self defense, claiming Washington has deployed “thousands of missiles” that threaten the communist state.

Jang Chang Chon, head of North Korea’s bureau on U.S. affairs, said Pyongyang regards its missile program as part of its right to self-defense. However, North Korea remains willing to discuss the possibility of curbing exports of missile technology if paid enough.

Negotiations over North Korea’s missile program ended in a stalemate Wednesday, with the United States refusing to pay Pyongyang to curb exports of missile technology.

After three days of talks, the North Koreans restated their offer: $1 billion a year in exchange for a halt to missile technology exports. They also refused to stop developing such weapons for self-defense.