Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s talk of keeping US pressure up against North Korea sparked criticism from North Korea’s Foreign Ministry on Monday, saying that they view his “reckless remarks” as just another sign that the US isn’t really interested in nuclear talks.
This has been a matter of some contention between the US and North Korea, as everyone wants to give an indication that they are willing to negotiate, but both are very comfortable with not actually doing so so long as they can blame the other party for the lack of progress.
“We will go our own way. We want the US not to bother us,” the Ministry added through state media, warning that “if the US bothers us, it will be hurt.” The statement threatened to “repay the US with actual horror and unrest for the sufferings it has inflicted upon our people.”
US officials continue to emphasize a priority for imposing more sanctions and restrictions on North Korea, with the idea being that North Korea will eventually be forced to capitulate to US demands as a result.
We want talks. We just want them to be the North saying “yes” to our every demand. We’re doing the same with Iran and Venezuela. It’s all we know.
The latest State Dept organized press release attack on North Korea puts emphasis on Covid-19, asserting that the North can’t deal with it unless it surrenders.
If closing off a country and social distancing are the answers, then the North has got it made. That is what they are, and always have been.
It is an especially inappropriate attack when it is the US that is visibly failing on this.
The attacks on the North range from nonsense to reversal of reality. That is on the US. The North does nothing to earn or deserve such advantage. It is a gift of the neocon mindset.