North Korea says up to U.S. to decide...>

NORTH KOREA: North Korea says up to U.S. to decide what 'Christmas gift' it will

get - KCNA (RTRS)

- North Korea's foreign ministry warned again that its year-end deadline for the

United States to change it "hostile policies" is approaching and said it was up

to Washington to decide what "Christmas gift" comes at the end of the year,

state media said in a statement on Tuesday. Ri Thae Song, North Korea's vice

minister of foreign affairs in charge of relations with the United States, said

that Washington's call for more talks is "nothing but a foolish trick hatched to

keep the DPRK bound to dialogue and use it in favour of the political situation

and election in the U.S.," state news agency KCNA reported, using the initials

of North Korea's official name. "The DPRK has done its utmost with maximum

perseverance not to backtrack from the important steps it has taken on its own

initiative," Ri said. "What is left to be done now is the U.S. option and it is

entirely up to the U.S. what Christmas gift it will select to get." North Korea

is asking Washington to soften its stance in denuclearisation talks that have

made little progress despite three meetings between the two countries' leaders.