North Korea have told the U.S ambassador to South Korea that he could face a “bigger mishap” than the knife attack to his face last month if he does not stop insulting the country with “laughable” accusations.
Ambassador Mark Lippert said that North Korea will be rewarded with prosperity and better ties with the outside world if it improves its human rights record and begins to call an end to its nuclear programme in a speech on Wednesday.
A North Korean propaganda agency, the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea, claimed that Lippert’s remarks proved that Washington really was intent on pursuing hostility.
In a commentary published on Thursday on the Uriminzokkiriwebsite, the committee wrote: “Lippert needs to drop the bad habit of rashly engaging in scheming chatter distorting the truth and instigating war by taking issue with us.
“Otherwise next time, he could face a bigger mishap than getting cut in the cheek by a South Korean citizen.”
Kim taking in the view from the highest point in North Korea
Lippert was slashed in the face with a fruit knife by a South Korean man with a history of erratic behaviour at a breakfast forum in central Seoul in early March.
It required 80 stitches and he also suffered injuries to his arm.
The attacker was charged with attempted murder although he was not charged with any crimes related to North Korea despite being questioned over his multiple visits to the country.
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North Korea had previously said the attack was “deserved punishment” but denied that it had anything to do with them.
In Washington, a spokesman for the U.S State Department said: “We have seen the statement which is unfortunately consistent with the nature of the regime and its rhetoric.”
The north frequently issues pugnacious rhetoric towards the US and has accused it of planning an imminent invasion.
President Kim Jong-Un, according to the Korea Times, has said the threat of invasion from the US is at a more serious level than at any other time since he came to power three year ago and has called for full-combat readiness for the North Korean army