North Korea offers US deal on nukes

North Korea said it would cancel any future nuclear test if the United States agrees to suspend joint military drills with South Korea that are scheduled to take place this year.

News of Pyongyang’s proposal was reported by the North’s official KCNA news agency, according to Agence France-Presse. In the proposal, North Korea said it was “ready to take such a responsive step as temporarily suspending the nuclear test over which the U.S. is concerned.”

{mosads}North Korea considers the joint military drills, which take place annually, a threat to its security. The United States and South Korea argue they are defensive in nature. The two Koreas have been in a quasi-state of war since the 1950s.

U.S. reaction to the proposal was not immediately known, though it is expected the military drills will continue. North Korea typically responds to the drills with missile tests.

The proposal came as tensions remain high over the hack of Sony Pictures. U.S. officials say the breach was orchestrated by North Korea over Sony’s film, “The Interview,” which pokes fun at Kim Jong Un. North Korea says it was not involved.