North Korea has blasted Japanese politicians' controversial remarks about its wartime history and sex slavery just as signs emerged that Tokyo and Pyongyang could resume government-level talks.

The North’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in an editorial Wednesday that Japanese rightists’ moves aimed at evading the settlement of its wartime wrongdoings is only a self-destructive act that will hurt Japan down the road.

Citing Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto’s inflammatory comments, the KCNA said that Japan’s attitude toward its wartime sex slavery is a direct barometer of the country’s willingness to acknowledge, apologize and pay damages for all the crimes it committed in the last century.