Where Are North America Relations Headed... US Raises Human Rights Issues Again, Sharp Exchanges Ensue

US State Department "Disappointed" by North Korea's Communication Line Cut... Calls on North Korea to Act Like a Normal Country in International Religious Freedom Report
North Korea Criticizes US State Department for "Presumptuous Interference"... Also Targets President Trump's Reelection Bid

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] In response to North Korea's escalating measures, the United States has begun to raise its level of response by highlighting 'human rights' issues. After expressing 'disappointment' at North Korea's move to cut off and dismantle all inter-Korean communication lines, the U.S. showed an unusual reaction, and it is now analyzed that Washington is beginning to openly express caution against additional measures that could escalate tensions on the Korean Peninsula. While some speculate that the U.S. will focus on managing the situation considering the upcoming November presidential election, recent exchanges suggest that tensions between North Korea and the U.S. are intensifying.

On the 9th (local time), immediately after North Korea cut off all communication lines connecting the two Koreas, the U.S. State Department issued an official statement saying, "We are disappointed by recent actions. We urge a return to diplomacy and cooperation." Then, on the 10th (local time), during a press briefing held to coincide with the release of the '2019 International Religious Freedom Report,' the department emphasized that "North Korea's religious persecution is very aggressive and severe."

At the press briefing, Sam Brownback, U.S. State Department Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, began by saying "North Korea has a long way to go," and added, "We ask North Korea to act like a normal country," expressing hope that "people of any faith can freely practice their religion without fear of persecution or retaliation and be allowed to speak freely."

This statement appears to directly target human rights issues within North Korea by foregrounding religious matters. It came shortly after the U.S. issued an unusual comment expressing 'disappointment' toward North Korea, thereby raising the sensitive issue of human rights that North Korea finds very uncomfortable. In fact, the 2019 International Religious Freedom Report released by the U.S. State Department clearly states that "the U.S. government has consistently made it clear to North Korea that addressing human rights issues, including religious freedom, is necessary for full normalization of relations."

North Korea has continued to strongly retaliate against U.S. remarks on North Korea using harsh language. Following the 'Kim Yo-jong statement,' the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs directly responded to the U.S. State Department's expression of disappointment, warning, "You are meddling presumptuously," and "Do not interfere unnecessarily." Kwon Jong-gun, director of the U.S. desk at the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who recently returned to his post, sharply criticized in an interview with a reporter from the Korean Central News Agency, saying, "Inter-Korean relations are thoroughly an internal matter of our nation, and no one has the right to make petty criticisms about it."

He also made remarks directly targeting U.S. President Donald Trump. Director Kwon advised, "If you want to avoid terrible things, keep your mouth shut and tidy up your own house first," adding, "That will not only serve the interests of the United States but also be beneficial for smoothly conducting the upcoming presidential election right around the corner." He further stated that "there are many unsettled calculations between North Korea and the U.S." and held the U.S. responsible.

On the 12th, North Korea issued another statement criticizing the U.S. attitude. North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon stated, "Our republic's unwavering strategic goal is to build a more reliable force to manage the long-term military threat from the United States."

In his statement marking the 2nd anniversary of the June 12 Singapore North Korea-U.S. Summit titled 'Our Clear Answer to the United States,' Foreign Minister Ri emphasized, "The hope for improved North Korea-U.S. relations that was greatly inflated two years ago has now turned into despair due to worsening conditions, and even a glimmer of optimism for peace and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula has faded into a pessimistic nightmare."

He also targeted President Trump, saying, "Looking back at the current administration's record so far, it is nothing more than political achievements," and added, "We will no longer hand over a bundle of propaganda achievements to the U.S. rulers without any cost."

North Korea and the U.S. showed starkly different positions regarding the Singapore summit. Foreign Minister Ri pointed out, "Just because the personal relationship between our supreme leadership and the U.S. president is maintained, it does not mean that actual North Korea-U.S. relations have improved. I question whether there is any need to keep holding the hand that was shaken in Singapore." Meanwhile, a U.S. State Department spokesperson said on the 11th (local time), "We are willing to take a flexible approach to reach a balanced agreement on all commitments made at the Singapore summit."

Amid the escalating exchanges between North Korea and the U.S., United Nations Secretary-General Ant?nio Guterres expressed regret over North Korea's recent actions but also emphasized the need to resume dialogue. UN spokesperson St?phane Dujarric said on the 10th (local time) that Secretary-General Guterres expressed regret, stating that "(the inter-Korean communication channels) are necessary to avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations," and added, "He hopes all parties will use the June anniversaries to resume dialogue aimed at achieving sustainable peace and complete, verifiable denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula." June 15 marks the 20th anniversary of the '6.15 Inter-Korean Joint Declaration,' and June 25 marks the 70th anniversary of the Korean War.

Experts are also advising that high-level talks, especially at the summit level, are necessary. Professor Jung Dae-jin of Ajou University said, "This has already become an issue that cannot be resolved by the Ministry of Unification or working-level teams," emphasizing, "A prompt inter-Korean summit is needed to make a major directional shift, and since North Korea is unlikely to respond to public proposals immediately, it is time to attempt cautious contact through private envoys."

At a forum hosted by the Korea Institute for National Unification on the theme 'Post-Corona Era, Korean Peninsula Situation and Peace Process,' senior research fellow Cho Han-beom said, "It is necessary to quickly resume inter-Korean contact and focus on holding a practical inter-Korean summit without being bound by timing, location, or protocol." He added, "We should also consider sending a top-level special envoy to induce North Korea's response," and stressed, "Using symbolic occasions such as June 15, August 15, and September 19 to hold inter-Korean summits is essential to restore trust in inter-Korean relations and lead North Korea-U.S. denuclearization negotiations." Hong Min, head of the North Korea Research Division, also said, "By not having Chairman Kim Jong-un take the forefront, it seems they are leaving room to reverse the situation later in the context of 'summit friendship' between President Moon Jae-in and Chairman Kim Jong-un."

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which had refrained from commenting on the deterioration of inter-Korean relations, stated regarding Foreign Minister Ri Son-gwon's statement, "We will continue to make efforts for the prompt resumption of North Korea-U.S. dialogue and the development of inter-Korean relations." A ministry official emphasized, "Efforts for the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the establishment of a permanent peace regime must continue."

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