North Korea has issued its first response to South Korean President Moon Jae-in's July sixth speech in Berlin, where he outlined his vision to improve inter-Korean ties.

An editorial released on Saturday by the North's ruling Workers' Party's newspaper, the Rodong Sinmun, criticized the Berlin initiative as being "full of sophistry that will only pose hurdles to peace and improvement in cross-border relations." The paper said overall, the speech carried confrontational intentions. 

But it also gave a positive assessment, saying what is fortunate is that Moon's initiative contains a stance different from his predecessors, and noted that Moon expressed respect and vowed implementation of past inter-Korean agreements made in 2000 and 2007.

The North blasted the South Korean leader's remarks regarding no other options existing other than sanctions and pressure if Pyongyang does not stop its nuclear and missile provocations.

The paper said the "ludicrous statement reveals a vicious intent to avoid responsibility of having destroyed peace and to instigate foreign powers to disarm North Korea."

The commentary indicated that it is difficult to expect the implementation of any new promises without a fundamental shift in policy and stance towards the North. 

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