A Japanese daily says that North Korea vowed not to abandon its nuclear program due to security reasons during informal talks held with the U.S. in Malaysia last month.
 
Citing Joseph DeTrani, a former nuclear negotiator of the U.S. who attended the meeting in Kuala Lumpur, the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said Saturday that during the talks, the U.S. urged the North to abide by the September 2005 joint six-way agreement in which the North promised to abandon its nukes.
 
According to DeTrania, Pyongyang responded saying that its nuclear arms possession is necessary for self-defense and will continue nuclear tests and missile launches.
 
The North also raised the issue of the U.S. sending nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and B-52 strategic bombers to South Korea and the two countries' joint military drills. The North claimed it needs nuclear weapons due to security concerns.
 
The Asahi Shimbun report said that North Korea also mentioned it will continue contacts with the new U.S. administration taking office in January. 

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