North Korea has denied reports that it provided Syria with supplies that can be used to make chemical weapons.  

A North Korean Foreign Ministry official told the nation's state broadcaster Korean Central Television on Thursday that Pyongyang has repeatedly declared it has never developed, produced or stored chemical weapons. The official said the North is opposed to such weapons. 

The official said the reports are fabricated by the U.S. and are aimed at raising pressure and sanctions against the North in hopes of proceeding with a naval blockade against the regime. The official also said the reports are part of a U.S. strategy aimed at justifying its military intervention in Syria. 

The official’s remarks came after the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal quoted a report by a panel of UN investigators which said that the North has been shipping to the Syrian government supplies that can be used to make chemical weapons and ballistic missiles.