N. Korea: "U.S., Do Not Interfere in Inter-Korean Relations... You Will Face Horrible Consequences" (Summary)

Kwon Jeong-geun, Director of North Korea's Foreign Ministry US Department, States
"If You Want to Conduct the Presidential Election Smoothly, Stop Quarreling"

North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and U.S. President Donald Trump are shaking hands at Panmunjom on June 30, 2019.

North Korea warned the United States on the 11th not to interfere in inter-Korean relations, saying, "If you do not want to suffer a terrible fate, it would be better to keep your mouth shut and tidy up your own house first." This was a reaction to the U.S. expressing 'disappointment' over North Korea's recent hardline stance toward South Korea.

On the same day, Kwon Jong-gun, Director of the U.S. Affairs at North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, responded to questions from reporters of the North Korean state media Korean Central News Agency, asserting, "Inter-Korean relations are thoroughly an internal matter of our nation, and no one has the right to make fuss about it."

Director Kwon warned, "At a time when the U.S. political scene is more chaotic than ever, if you do not think about taking care of your own affairs but unnecessarily meddle in others' matters and speak recklessly, you may face difficult and unfavorable consequences."

He also said, "There are quite a few unsettled issues between us and the U.S., so is there any need to take on the troubles that others face by acting as a servant to South Korea?"

As the Trump administration, which has entered the re-election race, is managing the situation by restraining North Korea's sudden actions, North Korea hinted at the possibility of military provocations.

Director Kwon emphasized, "If you do not want to suffer a terrible fate, keep your mouth shut and tidy up your own house first," adding, "That would not only be in the interest of the United States but also beneficial for smoothly conducting the upcoming presidential election right at the doorstep."

Earlier, on the 9th (local time), a U.S. State Department spokesperson said regarding North Korea's blocking of inter-Korean communication channels, "We are disappointed by North Korea's recent actions."

It is unusual for the U.S. State Department to use the term 'disappointed' in a statement about North Korea. This expression mainly appeared last year when North Korea threatened provocations against the U.S. under the pretext of a 'Christmas gift.'

Director Kwon said, "When inter-Korean relations show signs of progress, the U.S. desperately fails to stop it and acts as if it is greatly worried when things worsen, showing a double standard that makes us sick," adding, "Can the so-called 'disappointment' expressed by the U.S. even compare to the extreme disillusionment and anger we feel toward the U.S. and South Korean authorities who have repeatedly betrayed and provoked us over the past two years?"

Meanwhile, as North Korea recently adopts a hardline stance and expands the front from inter-Korean relations to North Korea-U.S. relations, concerns are rising about the possibility of significant military provocations in the future.

Jeong Seong-yoon, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for National Unification, said at a forum hosted by the institute on the 10th, "(North Korea) may declare the resumption of nuclear force enhancement in the second half of this year or officially announce the termination of the 2018 North Korea-U.S. Singapore Agreement."

He added, "July 27 (Victory Day), September 9 (Foundation Day), and October 10 (Workers' Party Foundation Day) could be critical dates," and "Since North Korea has recently been emphasizing artillery roles, attention should also be paid to North Korea's messages on June 20 (Artillery Day)."