After weeks of tension, North Korea has options to improve relations with the US and South Korea but it is unlikely to be tempted by Washington’s offer to restart negotiations on its nuclear programme.
After a day of festivities to mark the 101st anniversary of its first leader’s birthday, North Korea yesterday offered new hostile rhetoric against the US and South Korea.
State media said the Supreme Command of the Korean People’s Army issued an ultimatum demanding an apology from South Korea for “hostile acts” and threatening that unspecified retaliatory actions would happen at any time.
The renewed rhetoric was sparked by a protest in downtown Seoul, where effigies of Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were burned.
Such protests are not unusual in South Korea and this one probably gave the North a pretext to react negatively to calls for joining in dialogue with its neighbours, rather than an actual cause for retaliation.
Pyongyang launched a rocket ahead of the last anniversary of Kim Il Sung’s birth, which was the centennial.
But the holiday this year has been much more low-key, with Pyongyang residents gathering in performance halls and plazas and taking advantage of subsidised treats, like shaved ice and peanuts, despite unseasonably cold weather.
The calm in Pyongyang has been a striking contrast to the steady flow of retaliatory threats North Korea has issued over ongoing military exercises between South Korea and the US. Though the wargames, called Foal Eagle, are held regularly, North Korea was particularly angry over their inclusion this year of nuclear-capable B-2 stealth bombers and F-22 fighters.
US secretary of state John Kerry said a missile test would be provocation that would further isolate the country and its impoverished people.
He said the US was “prepared to reach out”, but that Pyongyang must first bring down tensions and honour previous agreements.
US state department spokesman Patrick Ventrell said the US is open to dialogue but only if Pyongyang proves itself trustworthy.
“The burden remains on Pyongyang,” he said. “They need to take meaningful steps to show that they’ll honour their commitments.”