The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) yesterday lashed out at Japan for extending sanctions against Pyongyang, saying such action will block the process of denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula.

"Japan's push to maintain sanctions against the DPRK...put a hurdle in the way of settling the nuclear issue on the Korean Peninsula," said the leading official newspaper Rodong Sinmun.

"Nearly all parties are doing what they should do under the agreement on the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. But Japan only is engaged in dastardly acts causing the concern of others," said the newspaper.

The DPRK's criticism came after Japan decided to extend economic sanctions against Pyongyang for another six months because there has been no progress on the issue of the abduction of Japanese nationals.

Since the DPRK's nuclear test last October, Japan has imposed series of sanctions on DPRK, including prohibiting DPRK ships from using its ports and barring exports of 24 items to DPRK.