The official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Saturday refuted a US allegation over the " transfer of nuclear technology" to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) by a Pakistani scientist, claiming that the DPRK possessed a self-reliant nuclear deterrent force.

"The New York Times on Feb. 12 said that a Pakistani nuclear expert visited the DPRK more than 10 times to help develop technology of nuclear weapons," said the KCNA in a commentary.

"Lurking behind it is an ulterior intention to make the international community believe it, and disarm the DPRK just as the US did in Iraq and justify its brigandish demand that Pyongyang scrap its nuclear program first at the upcoming six- party talks," the KCNA said.

It said the United States intended to violate the sovereignty of independent states under such pretext.

The DPRK's self-reliant nuclear power industry and its nuclear deterrent force for self-defense were indigenously developed and perfected by DPRK scientists and technicians, the KCNA stressed.

"The DPRK was compelled to change the purpose of its nuclear power industry based on graphite-moderated reactors and possess a nuclear deterrent force for self-defense because the US nuclear threat increased as the days went by and the outbreak of a dangerous war of aggression became imminent," the commentary said.

Pakistan nuclear scientist Qadeer Khan admitted in early February that he had leaked nuclear secrets to Libya, Iran and the DPRK. He said it had nothing to do with the Pakistani government and army.

On Feb. 10, a spokesman for the DPRK Foreign Ministry denied the claim and accused the United States of hyping the story, saying it was "nothing but a mean and groundless propaganda."