North Korea says US is ‘hell-bent’ on hostility
Pyongyang statement comes just days after historic meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un

North Korea says the US is “hell-bent on hostile acts”, despite a recent agreement between the two countries to resume nuclear talks.
Just days after the countries’ leaders, Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, held a historic meeting in the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between North and South Korea, Pyongyang’s delegation to the UN said that Washington was “obsessed with sanctions”.
It also accused the US of attempting to “undermine the peaceful atmosphere” on the Korean peninsula and added that it was “quite ridiculous” for the US to view sanctions as a “panacea for all problems”.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The BBC says the accusations “marked a shift in tone and a return to the angry exchanges that have marred relations between the countries in recent times”, while ITV adds that “there was nothing positive” in the statement “which made no mention of nuclear talks, focusing instead on sanctions”.
North Korea’s delegation said it was responding to an allegation from the US that it had breached a cap on refined petroleum imports that was set in 2017. It has an annual limit of 500,000 barrels, which is key for its economy.
It said it was also reacting to a joint letter sent by the US, France, Germany and the UK to all UN member states calling for further sanctions on the hermit kingdom. The same letter is believed to have asked all members to send expatriate North Korean workers home.
The North Korean statement said: “What can’t be overlooked is the fact that this joint letter game was carried out... on the very same day when President Trump proposed [a] summit meeting.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
“[It] speaks to the reality that the United States is practically more and more hell-bent [on] hostile acts against the DPRK [North Korea]. All UN member states will have to keep vigilance against deliberate attempts by the United States to undermine the peaceful atmosphere that has been created on the Korean Peninsula.”
Although North Korea said the letter was sent on 29 June, it was in fact sent on 27 June. The US is yet to respond to the statement.
-
Bluetoothing: the phenomenon driving HIV spike in Fiji
Under the Radar ‘Blood-swapping’ between drug users fuelling growing health crisis on Pacific island
-
Marisa Silver’s 6 favorite books that capture a lifetime
Feature The author recommends works by John Williams, Ian McEwan, and more
-
Book reviews: ‘We the People: A History of the U.S. Constitution’ and ‘Will There Ever Be Another You’
Feature The many attempts to amend the U.S. Constitution and Patricia Lockwood’s struggle with long Covid
-
Israel and Hamas meet on hostages, Trump’s plan
Speed Read Hamas accepted the general terms of Trump’s 20-point plan, including the release of all remaining hostages
-
US tipped to help Kyiv strike Russian energy sites
Speed Read Trump has approved providing Ukraine with intelligence for missile strikes on Russian energy infrastructure
-
Netanyahu agrees to Trump’s new Gaza peace plan
Speed Read At President Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, they agreed upon a plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of Taiwan
In the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdown
IN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
The dark history of myths about immigrants eating swans and pets
In the Spotlight Nigel Farage has mimicked Donald Trump and peddled tropes and rumours that have long been used to ‘dehumanise’ immigrants
-
What would happen if Israel lost America’s support?
Today’s big question Loss of US backing could be a ‘catastrophe’ for Israel
-
Charlie Kirk, Jimmy Kimmel and free speech
Talking Point TV host’s cancellation and Trump administration’s threats to media have led to accusations of Maga hypocrisy