North Korea has lashed out at comments recently made by South Korean defense ministry spokesperson Kim Min Seok, who told reporters Monday that the regime
“ought to disappear quickly.”
The comments were made while discussing a number of reconnaissance
drones believed to have originated from the North, a conclusion the regime vehemently
denies.
In response, North Korea’s National Defense Commission has released
a “crucial report,” accusing the South of harboring ambitions of “unification
via absorption.”
“What the Park group uttered this time cannot be
construed otherwise than a total denial of compatriots in the North,”
the report claimed, before adding, “All the service personnel and people of [North Korea]… are strongly calling for wiping the Park group out of this
land.”
North Korea’s Committee
for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, a propaganda organization targeting
South Korea, released a similar statement in response to the remarks, saying, “Every
day the puppet traitor regime commits unpardonable high treason. Now these words
have been said, only ruthless punishment remains.”
Lee Soo Seok of
the Institute for National Security Strategy clarified to Daily NK, “They’ve
come out on the attack as [South Korea’s] statement did not acknowledge the
regime, meaning they have no choice but to reply. Their response could be a mere proclamation,
but depending on the circumstances we can’t rule out further action from the North.”
Shin In Gyun of
the Korea Defense Network added, “A physical provocation could result in retaliation
from South Korean forces, so there is a possibility the North will push ahead with
a provocation that is harder to trace, like a cyber attack.”
