North Korea Criticizes South Korea as "Still Submissive to the US and Dependent on Foreign Powers," Condemns ROK-US Working Group

"Hands and feet tied tightly by the US, continuing acts of betrayal"
"A disgrace and shame to the nation... No resolution for inter-Korean relations"

On the occasion of the 78th birthday of National Defense Commission Chairman Kim Jong-il (Day of the Shining Star), North Korean residents visited the statues of Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-il at Mansudae Hill to pay tribute, reported the Korean Central News Agency on the 17th.

On the 18th, North Korea criticized South Korea's continued pro-American submissive attitude, referring to the South Korea-U.S. Working Group meeting on North Korea sanctions held in Seoul last week.

The North Korean propaganda outlet Uri Minjokkkiri claimed in an article titled "No Matter How Much You Beg" that "Despite having tasted such bitterness, the South Korean authorities' pro-American submissive attitude, trying to solve inter-Korean and national issues by relying on foreign forces, remains unchanged."

The outlet also pointed out that although the South Korean government tried to refrain from using the term 'South Korea-U.S. Working Group,' cooperation with the U.S. side on this matter was not achieved.

Uri Minjokkkiri stated, "Even looking only at this 'South Korea-U.S. Working Group meeting,' the U.S. responded to the South Korean authorities' claim that the meeting name should be changed with a non sequitur, saying 'Glad to be back in Seoul.'"

It added, "Even when (South Korea) 'explained' its 'proposals' to the U.S. and requested 'approval,' the U.S. only gave evasive answers like 'We understand.' This reflects the U.S.'s arrogance that they dislike the groveling requests of their servants and demand unconditional obedience."

The outlet emphasized, "Just this one fact alone shows that no matter how much you beg the master who looks down on South Korea, all you will receive is cold treatment, ridicule, contempt, and disdain."

It continued, "Instead of reflecting on the betrayal of shackling their hands and feet to the U.S. and abandoning promises made to the nation, the disgraceful behavior of clinging to the master's coat and running around trying to solve something in a servile manner is truly a shame and humiliation for the nation."

Uri Minjokkkiri further argued, "It is very clear that as long as the South Korean authorities persist in their pro-American submissive policy, nothing will be resolved in inter-Korean relations or national issues."

Meanwhile, on the 10th, Lee Dong-ryeol, head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Peace Diplomacy Planning Division, and Alex Wong, U.S. State Department Special Representative for North Korea, held a director-level consultation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Seoul. South Korea reportedly provided a general explanation of the direction for promoting inter-Korean cooperation projects such as individual tourism to North Korea, railway and road connections, and the demilitarized zone (DMZ) peace zone, and requested U.S. cooperation.

In particular, South Korea emphasized that individual tourism would be prioritized for humanitarian purposes, focusing on separated families and displaced persons.

Although this consultation was part of the Working Group meetings that South Korea and the U.S. have operated since November 2018, the South Korean government has been trying to refrain from using the term 'Working Group' since the second half of last year, aware of North Korea's criticism that these meetings represent being dragged around by foreign forces.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.