North Korea accuses US of being ‘hell-bent on regime change’
North Korean diplomat to the United Nations lashes out at the US accusing it of pursuing regime change and aggravating tensions on the Korean peninsula
North Korea on Friday accused the United States of being “hell-bent on regime change” and warned that any manoeuvres with that intention will be viewed as a “red line” that will result in countermeasures.
Pyongyang’s deputy UN ambassador Ri Tong-il also repeated that his government “made it very clear we will carry out a new form of nuclear test” but refused to elaborate, saying only that “I recommend you to wait and see what it is.”
His comments came at North Korea’s second press conference at the United Nations in two weeks, a surprising frequency for the reclusive Communist regime.
“We have long made clear – in close consultation with our allies – that we are open to improved relations with the DPRK.”
Ri blamed the US for aggravating tensions on the Korean Peninsula by continuing “very dangerous” military drills with South Korea, by pursuing action in the UN Security Council against his country’s recent ballistic missile launches and by going after Pyongyang’s human rights performance.
Ri also accused the US of blocking a resumption of six-party talks on its nuclear programme by settling preconditions and said Washington’s primary goal is to maintain tensions and prevent denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula.
A US diplomat who was not authorised to comment publicly later responded: “We have long made clear – in close consultation with our allies – that we are open to improved relations with the DPRK if it is willing to take clear actions to live up to its international obligations and commitments.”
