North Korea’s continued violation of United Nations sanctions reached new heights yesterday as Kim Jong-Un’s regime fired a number of projectiles into the Sea of Japan, triggering a global outcry. Even Russia, largely seen as an ally, did not mince words in criticising the misadventure. Moscow’s envoy to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, hit out at Pyongyang saying it had not taken the proper lesson from the latest round of sanctions.
South Korea didn’t mince words in criticising the regime for its actions. The South Korean envoy to the United Nations was unusually uninhibited in taking on the regime that has stoked tensions on the Korean peninsula by testing nuclear weapons, making provocative statements and purging critics. Looking calm but sounding peeved, he questioned North Korea’s intentions in firing the projectiles.
Tensions across the 38th parallel have been on the rise with Kim’s regime repeatedly violating sanctions and provoking its neighbour and world powers at large. Sanctions have failed to discourage the reclusive and irresponsible administration of the North from flexing its muscle.
The North’s recent testing of a purported fusion device ruffled many feathers. It was widely believed that Pyongyang was prevaricating about the nuclear device that is a more potent threat than a conventional nuclear bomb — a fission device.
South Korean UN ambassador’s remarks yesterday show the extent of resentment against Pyongyang’s actions. Lashing out at the latest act of the Stalinist state, the envoy wondered why it needed to test weapons when its people were suffering due to lack of development and there was so much that could be done to alleviate its plight.
The North has maintained that it is the threat from the United States that has forced it not to let its guard down and adopt an offensive stance. “How do you think the US is a threat for you,” the diplomat said adding that it was hard to believe that the biggest military power in the world can be a threat to a small country on the other side of the Pacific.
After taking over power from father Kim Jong Il, the young Kim was expected to bring in reforms in an attempt to change the image of the reclusive state. Some of his measures immediately after he became leader gave hints of an attempt at rapprochement with the West. However, this was not to be. Kim kept on riling other nations by his irresponsible acts. North Korea’s official media has also used unsavoury words for South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
The firing of the missiles has not only offended the United Nations and world powers but also further isolated the country.
North Korea’s continued violation of United Nations sanctions reached new heights yesterday as Kim Jong-Un’s regime fired a number of projectiles into the Sea of Japan, triggering a global outcry. Even Russia, largely seen as an ally, did not mince words in criticising the misadventure. Moscow’s envoy to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, hit out at Pyongyang saying it had not taken the proper lesson from the latest round of sanctions.
South Korea didn’t mince words in criticising the regime for its actions. The South Korean envoy to the United Nations was unusually uninhibited in taking on the regime that has stoked tensions on the Korean peninsula by testing nuclear weapons, making provocative statements and purging critics. Looking calm but sounding peeved, he questioned North Korea’s intentions in firing the projectiles.
Tensions across the 38th parallel have been on the rise with Kim’s regime repeatedly violating sanctions and provoking its neighbour and world powers at large. Sanctions have failed to discourage the reclusive and irresponsible administration of the North from flexing its muscle.
The North’s recent testing of a purported fusion device ruffled many feathers. It was widely believed that Pyongyang was prevaricating about the nuclear device that is a more potent threat than a conventional nuclear bomb — a fission device.
South Korean UN ambassador’s remarks yesterday show the extent of resentment against Pyongyang’s actions. Lashing out at the latest act of the Stalinist state, the envoy wondered why it needed to test weapons when its people were suffering due to lack of development and there was so much that could be done to alleviate its plight.
The North has maintained that it is the threat from the United States that has forced it not to let its guard down and adopt an offensive stance. “How do you think the US is a threat for you,” the diplomat said adding that it was hard to believe that the biggest military power in the world can be a threat to a small country on the other side of the Pacific.
After taking over power from father Kim Jong Il, the young Kim was expected to bring in reforms in an attempt to change the image of the reclusive state. Some of his measures immediately after he became leader gave hints of an attempt at rapprochement with the West. However, this was not to be. Kim kept on riling other nations by his irresponsible acts. North Korea’s official media has also used unsavoury words for South Korean President Park Geun-hye.
The firing of the missiles has not only offended the United Nations and world powers but also further isolated the country.
