DPRK slams US for politicizing human rights, vows to protect country

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Apr 2024 11:07

The DPRK says it will decisively protect its sovereignty and security in response to the US exploiting human rights as a means for hostility and invasion.

The DPRK flag is seen at the country’s embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2021. (AFP)

Pyongyang criticized the United States for politicizing human rights in the country as part of its provocation and conspiracy agenda against the DPRK.

State media KCNA quoted a foreign ministry spokesperson as saying that the East Asian country will decisively protect its sovereignty and security in response to the US exploiting human rights as a means for hostility and invasion.

This comes after the US State Department released an annual report this week claiming "significant human rights issues" in the republic.

The DPRK also rejected US calls for it to cease missile and rocket launches, and referred to a South Korean satellite launch in April.

"We will carry out our critical mission as planned to enhance our space reconnaissance capabilities to ensure the security of our country," KCNA said in a statement by a spokesperson for the country's National Aerospace Development Administration.

US, South Korea held large-scale amphibious landing drills

The US and South Korean forces began a series of annual springtime military drills in March, including their first large-scale amphibious landing drills in five years.

Pyongyang announced that these drills are increasing tensions on the Korean Peninsula to the "brink of a nuclear war," vowing to respond with "offensive action."

The KCNA published a commentary on April 4, describing the drills as "a trigger for driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula to the point of explosion."

Kim Yo Jong, Deputy Director of the Publicity and Information Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, reaffirmed on Wednesday the nation's dedication to substantially enhancing its military prowess to safeguard the DPRK's sovereignty and foster regional peace.

She expressed concern over the series of military exercises conducted by the US military in the region this year, particularly highlighting the live-fire drills with the "South Korean puppet military gangsters," adding that they are destabilizing the regional security environment and pushing it into dangerous turmoil.