North Korea warns that it’s ready for both war and diplomacy

North Korea is ready for both dialogue and war, state-run news agency KCNA said Feb. 19, 2018.

In an op-ed, KCNA said the US is trying to derail inter-Korean relations by keeping military options on the table.

"It is obviously an expression of a hideous attempt to block the improvement of inter-Korean relations and again coil up the military tension on the Korean peninsula," KCNA said.

Using the country's official name, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the article also said, "the DPRK is fully ready for both dialogue and war," and that it would be "naive and foolhardy" for the US to "hurt" North Korea.

The statement came shortly after US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told 60 Minutes he would continue diplomatic efforts with North Korea "until that first bomb drops."

Also read: Why North Korea suddenly stopped its aggression

"We don't know precisely how much time is left on the clock," Tillerson said on Feb. 18, adding that the US will keep up its policy of maximum pressure until Pyongyang tells him they are ready to talk.

Tillerson's messaging reiterated that of Vice President Mike Pence, who told The Washington Post the US approach is one of "maximum pressure and engagement at the same time."

North Korea's latest statement seemed to be directly responding to these two interviews, saying the vice president and secretary of state are "vying with each other to build a world of public opinion."

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Pyongyang also seemed particularly aggrieved by the US State Department's change to its travel advisory January 2018. Travelers to North Korea are now warned to draft a will, designate a power of attorney and discuss funeral plans with loved ones before their visit.

"The Trump group spouted jargons that tourists should write a will before making a trip to the DPRK. If the U.S. dares to ignite a war against the DPRK, there will be left no one to keep a written will and bury a coffin," KCNA said.