North Korea Calls South Korea ‘Trash’ During Anti-U.S. Rally

North Korea criticized South Korea during an anti-U.S. event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, referring to it as South Korean trash. Despite President Lee Jae Myung’s administration’s conciliatory gestures toward North Korea since taking office, Pyongyang has yet to respond positively.

The Workers’ Party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, reported on Wednesday that a youth gathering took place on Tuesday at the Youth Park Outdoor Theater in Pyongyang, coinciding with the Day of Anti-American Struggle on June 25.

The newspaper stated that the frenzied confrontation of the U.S. imperialists and South Korean trash, who have continually tried to obstruct our nation’s existence and development, has ignited the anger and hostility of the entire population and passionate youth. This statement heightened anti-U.S. and anti-South Korean sentiments.

The day before, members of the Socialist Women’s Union of Korea also expressed their firm resolve at a retaliatory meeting. The newspaper reported that if the invaders force another war, we will take revenge a thousandfold, combining the grievances of fallen mothers and beloved children against the U.S. imperialists and South Korean trash.

By labeling South Korea as “trash,” North Korea aimed to amplify its citizens’ hostility towards the South.

Moreover, in coverage of an art exhibition on class education that opened the previous day at the Pyongyang International Cultural Center, the newspaper referred to South Korea as Korean War fanatics and gangsters from South Korea.

This year’s criticisms of South Korea appear to have somewhat toned down compared to previous years. Analysts suggest that the President Lee Jae-myung administration’s conciliatory stance, including halting the distribution of anti-North Korean leaflets and suspending loudspeaker broadcasts toward the North, has led North Korea to exercise a degree of caution in its criticisms of the South compared to previous administrations.

Last year’s reports on mass rallies frequently used the hostile term South Korean puppet gang. However, since a military aircraft accident in South Korea on April 22, they have not used the term puppet even once.

Nevertheless, North Korea’s continued use of the term “trash” to describe South Korea indicates that its hostile posture toward the South remains intact. This rally has not occurred since 2018 when inter-Korean relations improved, but resumed in 2022 as tensions escalated.

Although North Korea immediately halted its loudspeaker broadcasts toward the South following the cessation of South Korea’s broadcasts toward the North, it has not shown a willingness to positively respond to the new administration’s efforts to improve relations.

Some analysts suggest that North Korea’s avoidance of the term “puppet” is due to the “Two Koreas” declaration, which discourages language that could evoke ethnic or nationalistic sentiments.

Experts on North Korea anticipate that Pyongyang will maintain a cautious stance while observing the fluid international situation, including the Russia-Ukraine war and tensions between Israel and Iran, before responding further.