North Korea Raises Criticism Level Amid U.S. Opposition Campaign

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoo In-ho] North Korea has launched a public opinion campaign in response to the United States' strengthening of sanctions against it. North Korea is intensifying its criticism of the U.S. through various media outlets.

According to diplomatic sources on the 16th, the Choson Sinbo, the official newspaper of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chongryon), reported that the U.S.'s recent imposition of new sanctions over North Korea's ballistic missile test launches is the "worst move" that triggers a 'strongman versus strongman' confrontation between North Korea and the U.S.

Representing North Korea's position, the Choson Sinbo, in an article titled "U.S. Sanctions Activation, Hostile Acts Creating a Strongman vs. Strongman Dynamic," claimed, "The U.S.'s confrontational stance toward North Korea's national defense strengthening measures is pulling the trigger that activates the strongman principle."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The confrontational stance mentioned by the newspaper refers to the Biden administration's first-ever new sanctions against North Korea's missile activities since taking office, following North Korea's ballistic missile test launches on the 5th and 11th, which it claims were hypersonic.

In a statement from the Foreign Ministry spokesperson the previous day, North Korea condemned the U.S.'s new sanctions, stating, "We cannot but respond more strongly and clearly," which the newspaper interpreted as "a sharp warning against the Biden administration repeating the bad habit of cornering itself."

It further warned that if the strongman confrontation intensifies, "the Biden administration will bring upon itself an unbearable disaster at some point," and criticized, "The imposition of sanctions on North Korea's exercise of self-defense rights is the worst move."

The external propaganda outlet Choson Today on the 16th claimed, "The invincible and mighty military power of Juche Korea is shaking the world," and asserted, "The entire country is filled with confidence and joy over the great success of our Juche weapons and hypersonic missile test launches."

It continued, "In an era when a weak fist must wipe away tears of defeat with that same fist, is this really just a memory of a bygone history?" emphasizing, "We have learned the truth that only with strength can a country protect its sovereignty and dignity."

It attributed the background of the hypersonic missile test launches to the "harsh international situation."

The media outlet claimed, "Without the power to protect oneself, one becomes a plaything of foreign forces, forced to suffer the miserable fate of being driven here and there, which is no different from the world today compared to the past."

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