North Korea Condemns Japan-France Statement on Denuclearization and Missile Abolition as "Unacceptable Challenge"

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] North Korea recently condemned Japan and France for issuing a joint statement demanding the dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear weapons and missiles, calling it a "clear hostile act against the Republic" and "an intolerable challenge to the rightful exercise of self-defense rights."

According to the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs website on the 1st, the ministry posted an article titled "The Price That Must Be Paid, the Serious Consequences That Will Follow" the day before. The article stated that at the Japan-France foreign and defense ministers' "2+2 meeting" on the 20th of last month (local time), they "criticized our arbitrary measures to strengthen defense capabilities and mentioned the implementation of UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea."

The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed, "As we have mentioned several times, the defense strengthening measures we take are part of the exercise of self-defense rights to enhance the country's defense capabilities according to the five-year national defense development plan and do not pose any threat to any country or force."

It continued, "Japan's shameless behavior, which blindly follows the U.S.'s hostile policy toward North Korea and now even drags France into it to exaggerate our nonexistent threat, is a chronic disease steeped in anti-Republic hostility," emphasizing that Japan must pay a "price."

Regarding France, it warned, "If it acts recklessly without understanding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, it will bring about serious consequences."

Earlier, Japan and France held a virtual 2+2 meeting on the 20th of last month and agreed to aim for verifiable dismantlement of North Korea's nuclear and missile development activities, issuing a joint statement reflecting this.

On the same day, the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs also criticized countries participating in the "U.S.-led" international cooperation.

In an article titled "Acts That Further Aggravate Regional Tensions," authored by an individual researcher, it disclosed that the British Royal Navy coastal patrol ship HMS Tamar recently collected evidence of ships suspected of violating UN sanctions against North Korea in the East China Sea area, stating, "They are recklessly rushing in, trying to maintain their declining national power and international status at any cost."

In another article titled "Europe's Alliance Ignored Again," it claimed that negotiations between Russia and the U.S., and Russia and NATO regarding the Ukraine issue proceeded without the participation of the European alliance (European Union), and "voices criticizing the U.S. for betraying its allies are echoing among European media and experts."

Meanwhile, in a personally authored article, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that this year marks the third anniversary of Chairman Kim Jong-un's visit to Vietnam in March 2019, praising that the visit elevated the relationship between North Korea and Vietnam to a "special comradely and strategic relationship."

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