N. Korea drops anti-U.S. rhetoric on war anniversary

N. Korea drops anti-U.S. rhetoric on war anniversary. June. 26, 2018 08:02. by Won-Jae Jang peacechaos@donga.com.
North Korean media including the Rodong Sinmun stopped using anti-American expressions. They also refrained from pouring out raw criticism against the United States on the day when the Korean War broke out because of the recent reconciliatory mood between the two countries.

“North Korea temporarily went easy on its belligerent rhetoric before and after the U.S.-North Korea joint communiqué in October 2000,” said Hong Min, director of the Korea Institute for National Unification said. “But it is the first time that it deleted all the anti-American expressions mentioning improvements in the U.S.-North Korea relations.

The Rodong Sinmun used roundabout expressions such as “contemptible invaders” on its Monday edition, instead of directly mentioning the United States to talk about the Korean War. Meanwhile, Pyongyang also canceled its annual “Anti-American products Day” protest held in downtown where tens of thousands of North Korean residents used to participate. According to Reuters, anti-American souvenirs recently disappeared at souvenir shops.