Kim Yo-Jong attacks Joe Biden: North Korea ends US silent treatment with stark warning
North Korea: Satellite images show 'activity' at nuclear facility
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Kim Yo-Jung, 33, has sent a stern warning to Joe Biden’s administration as they prepare to set out their Korean policy. The influential sister of Kim Jong-un also heavily criticised the US and South Korea for conducting joint military exercises in the area.
Yo-Jong’s statement marks Pyongyang’s first comments towards President Biden’s administration.
The US government said it has been trying to make diplomatic contact with North Korea since February, but to no avail.
The two countries remain in a lengthy dispute over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.
Speaking to Pyonyang’s propaganda newspaper Rodong Sinmum, Yo-Jung said: “A word of advice to the new administration of the United States that is struggling to spread the smell of gunpowder on our land from across the ocean.
“If it wants to sleep in peace for coming four years, it had better refrain from causing a stink at its first step.”
Last week, the South Korean and US militaries commenced annual military exercises that will continue until Thursday.
The drills are command post exercises and computerised simulation and do not involve field training.
However, Yo-Jung said North Korea considers even the smaller drills as an act of hostility.
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She said: “War rehearsals cannot coexist with dialogue, hostility cannot coexist with cooperation.
“The South Korean government yet again chose the ‘March of War’, the ‘March of Crisis’.”
Pyongyang views the joint military exercises as preparations for invasion and has responded to past US-South Korea drills with missile tests.
Boo Seung-chan, a spokesperson from South Korea’s Defence Ministry, said the combined drills were defensive in nature and called for the North to show a more “flexible attitude” that would be constructive to stabilising peace on the Korean peninsula.
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Her comments come ahead of a visit by top US officials to Seoul.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet with leaders from South Korea and Japan to discuss North Korea and other regional issues.
North Korean state media has yet to acknowledge Joe Biden is now the American President, having been inaugurated in January.
The US has attempted to make contact with Pyongyang on several occasions, but no meaningful contact has taken place for more than 12 months – including under Donald Trump’s presidency.
President Biden is due to announce a policy review on North Korea next month.
The Democrat has repeatedly stressed the need for Pyongyang to disarm its nuclear weapons before US and UN economic sanctions can be eased.
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