North Korea Targeting the U.S.: "Humanitarian Aid Must Not Be Exploited for Malicious Political Purposes"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Ji-eun] North Korea criticized the United States, targeting it with the statement, "Do not misuse humanitarian aid for impure political purposes."

On the 11th, North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted an article on its website under the name of Kang Hyun-chul, Senior Researcher at the International Economic and Technology Exchange Promotion Association, criticizing, "Many countries had high expectations for the U.S.'s 'aid' and 'humanitarian support' but ended up with a bitter experience."

Researcher Kang pointed out that amid the global economic difficulties caused by COVID-19, "there are movements to exploit humanity's misfortune and suffering for impure political purposes," citing foreign media to target the U.S.'s duplicity.

In particular, he cited the U.S. Foreign Assistance Act enacted in 1961, which regulates that support to other countries must strictly comply with U.S. foreign policy, and noted that Sections 489 and 620 of this law prohibit aid to countries that do not meet the U.S.-defined 'human rights standards' or to communist countries as the basis for this.

Researcher Kang stated, "This clearly shows what the 'aid' advocated by the U.S. is truly aimed at," criticizing the U.S. by citing cases such as when the U.S. cut aid, calling the Pakistani government's arrest of anti-government figures a 'human rights violation.'

He also pointed out that the U.S. cut and froze aid to the Afghan and Palestinian governments and instigated the Syrian civil war under the pretext of humanitarian aid, and mentioned the case of using aid to lead Cambodia as 'anti-China.'

Quoting opinions from international affairs analysts, Researcher Kang said, "The 'human rights issues' that the U.S. often recites whenever it raises the issue of 'humanitarian aid' are essentially just an excuse to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries," adding, "The U.S.'s intention to link 'humanitarian aid' with 'human rights issues' clearly shows that it aims to legitimize pressure on sovereign states and realize its impure political ambitions."

Researcher Kang's article came out amid the U.S. stating it could provide COVID-19 vaccine support to North Korea as humanitarian aid, reflecting North Korea's stance that even if the U.S. provides vaccines, it will not concede on human rights issues and others.

According to the National Security Strategy Institute, North Korea is currently exploring the possibility of substituting other vaccines through COVAX due to concerns about side effects of the AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccine, and is hesitant to introduce Chinese vaccines due to distrust. While the Russian vaccine is positively evaluated, the demand for free support has prevented its realization.