Visiting U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Tuesday stressed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s nuclear issue of great concern and urged Pyongyang to denuclearize.

Visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is delivering a speech during the press conference at start of her Asia tour in Tokyo on Feb. 17, 2009. [Chinadaily.com.cn]

"One of the challenges we inherited is the North Koreans has obtained the capacity to make nuclear weapons, we would not let that occur... Our goal remains the same, a denuclearized North," she said during the press conference at start of her Asia tour in Tokyo.

"Let me underscore the commitment the United States has to the denuclearization of North Korea (DPRK) and to the prevention of further proliferation ... This is a matter of great concern,"

"In his inauguration speech, President Obama has made it clear that United States will reach out a hand to those whom we have differences with, as long as they unclinch their fist. But the decision as to whether North Korea will cooperate in the six-party talks and take proactive actions is up to them. We are watching closely," she said.

"If North Korea abides by all the obligations it has already entered into, verifiably and completely eliminate its nuclear program, then there will be reciprocal response certainly from the United States, a chance to normalize relations, and to enter into peace treaty..." she added.

Earlier, the official Korean Central News Agency cited a government spokesman as saying that the United States was to blame for the tension on the Korean peninsula and would provoke punishing action from the DPRK.

U.S. moves to set up a "combined air-force command" with South Korea and refresh its military operation plan against the DPRK "fully represent the scheme of U.S. war hawks to stifle the DPRK militarily and permanently occupy South Korea," a spokesman for the Korean National Peace Committee said.

DPRK displays tough stand against U.S.

The "touch-and-go situation" was prevailing on the Korean Peninsula and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) would fight back a U.S. invasion with an "all-out war," the official KCNA news warned on Tuesday.

The official news agency issued a commentary accusing the U.S. of preparing to launch an "all-out" war against the DPRK.

"The U.S. bellicose forces' scenario for a second Korean war has almost reached the phase of practical implementation," the commentary said.

With the brilliant commanding of the top leader, with "the invincible revolutionary armed forces", and "with a solid foundation of self-supporting national defense industry," the DPRK will make no concession to the U.S. threats, it added.

(Xinhua News Agency February 17, 2009)