North Korea is preparing to take a "new path" in the absence of substantive progress in diplomacy with the U.S. and step-up development of its new weapons systems, an influential pro-Pyongyang outlet said Wednesday, warning Washington not to miss what it said was a critical opportunity for dialogue.

In a commentary written by managing editor Kim Ji Yong, the Tokyo-based Choson Sinbo urged the U.S. not to miss the deadline for nuclear negotiations originally set by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in a prominent policy speech in April.