Massed Rallies in Pyongyang Backing DPRK's Quitting Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty

Massed meetings in support of North Korea's withdrawal from the nuclear weapons nonproliferation treaty have been held in Pyongyang on Saturday. The rallies, gathered on the capital's central squares, were attended by over one million people, North Korean radio stations report.

Anti-American slogans were carried.

Premier Hong Song-ch'ol spoke at the main meeting. He called the country's withdrawal from the nuclear weapons nonproliferation treaty a "defensive measure" meant to "protect the sovereignty and dignity of the state and the nation." Such massed actions have not been held in the DPRK since the 90s.

Pyongyang motivates its decision by the tough stance of the United States, accusing the DPRK of secret attempts to create nuclear arms. Pyongyang calls this position "haughty and overtly hostile."