North Korea says it would try to improve relations with even 'enemy countries' if they respect the North as an independent state and relinquish their hostile policies against Pyongyang.

The North Korean Central Broadcasting Station said in a commentary on Monday that the North would work to form friendly relationships with countries around the world based on the spirit of independence and mutual respect.

The commentary said, however, that Pyongyang would not allow any country to interfere with the North's internal affairs nor allow them try to exercise power over the communist regime. It also said the North would oppose efforts or maneuvers by any one country to disturb another country's sovereignty or national benefits.

The commentary went on to say that U.S. efforts to subvert the North Korean regime by making Pyongyang's nuclear issue into a global matter had heightened political tension on the Korean Peninsula. It also said the only reason there hadn't yet been an outbreak of war on the peninsula was the North's "patience and self-control".