N. Korean foreign minister talks of 'nuke for nukes' in New York

N. Korean foreign minister talks of 'nuke for nukes' in New York. April. 26, 2016 07:26. by 뉴욕=부형권특파원, 조숭호기자 bookum90@donga.com,shcho@donga.com.

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Su Yong's five-day visit to New York from April 20 to April 24 apparently targeted the U.S. According to various U.N. sources on Monday, North Korea was believed to have participated in the Paris Climate Change Agreement signing ceremony in order to show off that it is unaffected by the strongest sanctions against it. However, its comments and actions during the visit showed that it had a strong purpose of delivering its message to the U.S. in the American soil."

While in New York, Ri declined to comment on South Korean reporters' questions in the airport, hotel and U.N. headquarters.

At the high ranking officials' meeting of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals on Thursday, Ri claimed that the North's efforts to communicate with the U.S. were turned off, and that is why the North is responding to U.S.' nuclear threats. At an interview with AP on Sunday, Ri said, "If the U.S. suspends Korea-U.S. allied military training, we will also stop nuclear tests."

"The AP interview that took some hours after the North's latest submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was prepared in advance," said a source in New York who is well aware of North Korea's situation. "Ri checked out the hotel on Sunday and not Saturday due to the interview schedule." This suggests that Ri's New York visit focused on delivering the North's stance that the U.S. is to blame for North Korea's nuclear and missile development, and thus the U.S. should first show willingness to solve.

Critics are also mixed in their interpretation of Ri's taking the Emirates Airlines that is a roundabout way through Middle East, instead of having taken the direct Bejing-New York line. "The United Arab Emirates is a foothold of the Middle East and makes money by operating a North Korean restaurant. The country is a close ally to North Korea," a Seoul diplomatic source said. "It seems that the North also took account of it being a hub for Middle East manpower."

However, another source said, "Ri must have chosen the Emirates Airlines despite inconvenience due to uncomfortable relationship with China, which has actively joined North Korea sanctions."