North Korea says it will join global efforts to prevent money laundering, insisting it has consistently opposed illegal financial activities.

In an interview with the North's Korea Central News Agency Friday, a North Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman said Pyongyang has the necessary laws and systems to counter financial crimes such as counterfeiting and money laundering.

Saying illegal acts face severe punishment, the North made its first public pledge to join global efforts to control money laundering.

The spokesman also said his country does not mind the United States acting to defend its interests and currency, but opposes measures that undermine the North's system.