Rodong Sinmun: "US Crosses Iran's Red Line"

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Eun-byeol] As the armed conflict between the United States and Iran enters a phase of de-escalation, the North Korean Workers' Party organ, Rodong Sinmun, reported on the death of Qasem Soleimani, commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, highlighting Iran's stance of resistance against the U.S.

On the 12th, Rodong Sinmun published an article titled "The situation in the Middle East is becoming more complex," stating, "On the 3rd, the United States conducted an airstrike near an airbase in Baghdad, Iraq, killing eight people including the commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force and a senior commander of Iraq's paramilitary forces." This is the first time North Korea used the term "killed" when reporting on Commander Soleimani's death.

Until now, North Korean media such as Rodong Sinmun and Korean Central Broadcasting Station had toned down the language to say that "the commander died at the scene due to a U.S. missile strike." The newspaper added, citing experts' opinions, "The U.S. airstrike aimed to pressure Iran's position in the Middle East and weaken its influence, which was seen as crossing Iran's red line."

Furthermore, it introduced statements from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said, "(The) resistance war against the U.S. will continue with doubled strength," and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, who emphasized that "the United States will pay a heavy price."

The newspaper particularly emphasized that "anti-American sentiment is increasing in Iran as a result of this incident," and highlighted the news that Iran has effectively declared its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA - Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action). It also explained, "Following Iran's missile attacks, the United States announced new sanctions against Iran," and noted that "the international community is closely watching the rapidly deteriorating situation in the Middle East."