North Korea criticized the U.S. administration for its ongoing sanctions, labeling them as hostile and malicious. The regime stated that it will respond in kind with patience.
On Thursday, Kim Eun-chul, North Korea’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of U.S. relations, issued a statement that they reaffirms the position in light of the U.S. government’s persistent hostility toward the country. He pointed out that this marks the fifth round of sanctions imposed since President Donald Trump took office.
Kim emphasized that these latest sanctions definitively end speculation about a potential shift in U.S. policy toward North Korea. He asserted that the U.S. administration has unequivocally demonstrated its intention to maintain hostility toward the nation.
He further stated that they have clearly understood and reaffirmed that the current U.S. administration has reiterated its unchanging hostile intent toward North Korea in its typical, traditional manner. The U.S. should abandon any expectations that its characteristic approach of pressure, coercion, threats, and intimidation will yield results against the country.
Kim argued that U.S. sanctions, both past and present, will have no impact on North Korea’s perspective or dealings with the U.S. He added that the current administration’s fixation on sanctions exemplifies a significant failure in its North Korea policy.
He cautioned that regardless of how extensively the U.S. deploys its arsenal of sanctions, it must recognize that the probability of altering the established strategic dynamic between North Korea and the U.S. in its favor is virtually zero. It is foolhardy to expect new outcomes while recycling failed strategies of the past.
Kim emphasized that given the current U.S. administration’s declared intention to maintain hostility toward them, it will too respond accordingly with patience for as long as necessary.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated eight individuals and two entities as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) for their involvement in North Korea’s illicit financing activities. This includes the Chosun Mangyongdae Computer Technology Company and the Ryu Jeong Credit Bank, accused of orchestrating the remittance and laundering of foreign currency from overseas workers.
Previously, on Monday, the U.S. State Department confirmed that vessels carrying North Korean coal and iron ore, banned from export under the United Nations (UN) Security Council resolutions, had been transported to China. They urged immediate sanctions on seven related ships.
Recently, despite President Trump’s expressed desire to meet with Kim Jong Un, the General Secretary of North Korea’s Workers’ Party, during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, the U.S. administration’s continued sanctions have been interpreted as reaffirming its unwillingness to engage in dialogue.