North Korea’s foreign minister has slammed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for taking part in US-led condemnations of North Korea’s recent intercontinental ballistic missile test, saying Guterres is a puppet of the United States.
UN Secretary-General Guterres urged North Korea to refrain from any further acts of aggression as North Korea fired an intercontinental ballistic missile in one of its biggest missile tests on November 18.
North Korea’s Foreign Minister Cho Sun-hui responded that he was deeply upset that the UN Secretary-General was holding a very unpleasant attitude.
Guterres’ statement is based on the principles and content of the UN Charter, as well as impartiality on all issues. He added that the duty to maintain objectivity and impartiality seemed to be oblivious.
He also said that the situation indicates how Guterres is a puppet of the United States.
Nuclear-armed North Korea has conducted a record-breaking series of missile tests in recent weeks, and on November 18 it test-fired the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile, dubbed the giant missile by observers, and was overseen by leader Kim Jong-un himself.
The missile flew at an altitude of 6,100 kilometers and reached a range of 1,000 kilometers, slightly less than the March 24 test, which appeared to be North Korea’s most capable missile test, South Korea’s military said.
Later that day, the US and Japan also conducted joint military exercises in the airspace of the Sea of Japan. The UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on November 21.
US President Joe Biden said that North Korea’s threatening nuclear and ballistic missile programs will be responded to in a balanced and unified manner. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Sae-yo said on November 13. Concerns are also rising that North Korea may conduct its seventh nuclear test.
