North Korea wants US to allow fuel, metal trade to restart talks

This handout image obtained on July 30, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Justice, shows oil tanker M/T Courageous docked in an undisclosed location and date. - A U.S. federal court on July 30 ordered the seizure of an oil tanker suspected of making deliveries to North Korea in violation of U.S. sanctions against Pyongyang. AFP-Yonhap

North Korea wants international sanctions banning its metal exports and imports of refined fuel and other necessities lifted in order to restart denuclearization talks with the United States, South Korean lawmakers said on Tuesday.

The North has also demanded the easing of sanctions on its imports of luxury goods to be able to bring in fine liquors and suits, the lawmakers said after being briefed by South Korea's main intelligence agency.

Blinken to urge ASEAN members to fully implement UN sanctions on North Korea: State Dept. 2021-08-03 10:07  |  North Korea
The briefing came a week after the two Koreas restored hotlines that North Korea suspended a year ago.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and South Korean President Moon Jae-in have shared a willingness to rebuild trust and improve ties since April, and Kim had asked to reconnect the hotlines, the lawmakers said.

They also said North Korea was in need of some 1 million tons of rice, as its economy was battered by the coronavirus pandemic and bad weather last year. (Reuters)