North Korea accuses the CIA of plotting to assassinate Kim Jong Un

North Korea announced Friday that it believes the CIA and South Korea's intelligence service are conspiring to assassinate leader Kim Jong Un. In a statement released by the ministry of state security via state media, North Korea suggested the U.S. and South Korea had "hatched a vicious plot" involving a "biochemical substances" to take out its "supreme leadership." North Korea assured the CIA that this "pipe dream" would never happen.
The statement arrived amid rising tensions in the region, as the Trump administration warns North Korea about its nuclear weapons program. North Korea said Friday that it views this "plot" of assassination as essentially a "declaration of war." "We will ferret out and mercilessly destroy to the last one the terrorists of the U.S. CIA and the puppet [intelligence service] of South Korea," the statement said, warning this "last-ditch effort" had gone "beyond the limits."
North Korea claimed it uncovered the "plot" after detecting an alleged spy who had been "ideologically corrupted and bribed" by the CIA and South Korea and transformed into a "terrorist full of repugnance and revenge against the supreme leadership" of North Korea. The statement gave no indication of what happened to this supposed spy.
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.
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
-
Critics’ choice: Restaurants worthy of their buzz
feature A fun bistro, a reservation worth the wait, and a modern twist on Mexican dishes
By The Week US Published
-
Film reviews: Snow White, Death of a Unicorn, and The Alto Knights
Feature A makeover for Disney’s first animated feature, greedy humans earn nature’s wrath, and a feud between crime bosses rattles the mob
By The Week US Published
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two-month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published