North Korea calls reunification ‘daydream of a psychopath’
South Korean president should ‘keep her disgusting mouth closed’ in order to improve relations, says Pyongyang
NORTH KOREA has denounced the idea of peaceful reunification with the South as the “daydream of a psychopath”.
The typically forthright statement was Pyongyang’s first reaction to a speech made last month by South Korean President Park Geun-Hye in which she called on the North to increase cultural and economic exchanges with Seoul and step up reunions of families divided by the separation of Korea.
Speaking in Dresden in the former East Germany, Park said: "Germany's unity is for us an example and model for a peaceful reunification.”
Subscribe to 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.
North Korea’s powerful National Defence Commission took exception to the comparison, however. Today, an NDC spokesman observed that German reunification came about with the West absorbing the East and accused Park of begging foreign countries to help South Korea absorb the North, AFP reports.
"This is merely a daydream of psychopath," he said, adding that Park’s speech was "nonsense" and full of "hypocrisy and deception".
"The fact that in that particular place, Park Geun-Hye lashed her tongue about reunification gave away her sinister mind.
"They should bear in mind that the tongue-lashing of Park Geun-Hye is the root cause of deteriorating North-South relations and beclouding the prospect of the nation.
"It is the unanimous view of the public that the North-South relations will be smoother than now only if Park keeps her disgusting mouth closed," the spokesman said.
The uncompromising language follows a month of tension on the Korean peninsula, with the North warning that it might carry out new nuclear tests and both countries exchanging artillery fire.
Despite this, analysts expect Pyongyang to return to dialogue over its nuclear capability later this month when joint military exercises between the South and the United States finish.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 23, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - qualifications, tax cuts, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Long summer days in Iceland's highlands
The Week Recommends While many parts of this volcanic island are barren, there is a 'desolate beauty' to be found in every corner
By The Week UK Published
-
The Democrats: time for wholesale reform?
Talking Point In the 'wreckage' of the election, the party must decide how to rebuild
By The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published