North Korea threatens ‘final destruction’ of South

Published on 19/02/2013 13:32

NORTH Korea have threatened South Korea with ‘final destruction’ during a United Nations conference on nuclear disarmament in Geneva.

Diplomats from the country also threatened to continue its nuclear testing, and warned that it could take “second and third steps” in its atomic programme.

The meeting heard the North Korean delegation take a hard line. North Korean diplomat Jon Yong Ryong said: “As the saying goes a new born puppy knows no fear of a tiger. South Korea’s erratic behavior would only herald its final destruction”.

The comments drew immediate criticism from British ambassador Joanne Adamson said the language was “completely inappropriate”.

She said: “It cannot be allowed that we have expressions which refer to the possible destruction of U.N. member states,” she said.

U.S. Ambassador Laura Kennedy said she found North Korea’s statement profoundly disturbing and “incredibly inconsistent” with the aims of the disarmement conference.

The remarks come just a day after EU leaders voted to impose further sanctions on the country over its continued nuclear testing. The North Koreans carried out an atom bomb test last week to widespread condemnation.