LOC10:12
07:12 GMT
TOKYO, Feb 18 (KUNA) -- North Korea said Monday that it is facing a "historic turning point," as it called for greater economic development efforts ahead of next week's summit between leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump, according to the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency.
"Our country is facing a historic turning point," said the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the North's ruling Workers' Party, which was monitored in Seoul.
Kim and Trump are set to hold their second summit in Vietnam's Hanoi on February 27-28, talks are expected to focus on trading denuclearization measures from the North for corresponding economic and other concessions from the US.
Calling for economic development efforts, the North's paper emphasized that lessons should be learned from a success story from an island, called "edo" off the country's west coast where "stunning achievements" have been made.
"With the nation-first sprit in mind, let's try to demonstrate our nation's dignity and stature to the world with every single creature," the paper said.
The emphasis on a nation-first attitude and economic development comes as North Korea is preparing for a summit with the US.
The second summit is likely to focus on concrete denuclearization measures to be taken by North Korea and "corresponding" steps by the US that could include the sanctions relief that Pyongyang has demanded as it pushes for economic development of its impoverished country. (end)
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