Donald Trump has been described by North Korean media as a “wise politician” who could be good for the Asian country.
According to an editorial in DPRK Today, the Republican billionaire was a “far-sighted presidential candidate”.
Donald Trump recently said he would be willing to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, and has also proposed withdrawing US troops from South Korea.
Analysts said the editorial was not official policy but likely reflected Pyongyang’s thinking.
The writer, Han Yong-mook – described as a Chinese North Korean scholar – said Donald Trump’s policy on US troops would make the North’s “Yankee Go Home” vision come true.
North Korea has long wanted US troops to leave the Korean peninsula.
“The day when the slogan becomes real would be the day of Korean Unification,” said the editorial, first reported by website NK News.
It suggested Donald Trump’s statement that he did not want to get involved in any conflict between North and South Korea was “fortunate from North Koreans’ perspective”.
Han Yong-mook also said US voters should reject Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, calling her “dull”.
“The president that US citizens must vote for is not that dull Hillary, but Trump, who spoke of holding direct conversation with North Korea,” he said.
North Korea had earlier this month dismissed Donald Trump’s proposal to discuss Pyongyang’s nuclear program with Kim Jong-un as “just a gesture”.
“I think his [Donald Trump’s] idea of talk is nonsense,” So Se-pyong, North Korea’s ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva, had told Reuters.
The US has submitted a draft resolution to the UN Security Council in response to North Korea’s recent nuclear test and missile launch.
The resolution, aimed at imposing tougher sanctions on North Korea, is backed by China.
The measures would for the first time require UN member states to inspect all cargo to or from North Korea.
US Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said it would be the strongest set of sanctions imposed by the Security Council in more than 20 years.
A vote is expected at the weekend.
North Korea’s launch of a long-range rocket in February and a nuclear test in January were widely condemned as a flagrant violation of UN resolutions.
China also condemned North Korea’s actions but it has previously been reluctant to endorse sanctions that could threaten its neighbor’s stability.
“For the first time in history, all cargo going in and out of the DPRK (North Korea) would be subjected to mandatory inspection,” Samantha Power said after presenting the draft resolution measure to the Security Council.
“These sanctions, if adopted, would send an unambiguous and unyielding message to the DPRK regime. The world will not accept your proliferation. There will be consequences for your actions.”
February 25 announcement followed weeks of negotiations between the US and China that culminated in talks in Washington this week between Secretary of State John Kerry and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
North Korea insists its missile program is purely scientific in nature, but the US, South Korea and even its ally China say such rocket launches are aimed at developing inter-continental ballistic missiles.
North Korea has issued another warning, a day after announcing plans for a third nuclear test.
In a statement, Pyongyang pledged “physical counter-measures” against South Korea if it participated in the UN sanctions regime.
The threat came 24 hours after North Korea said it would proceed with a “high-level” nuclear test in a move aimed at “arch-enemy” the US.
The White House condemned the move, labelling it “needlessly provocative”.
North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests in the past, in 2006 and 2009. It gave no time-frame for its third test.
Its announcement followed the adoption by the UN Security Council of a resolution condemning North Korea’s recent rocket launch and extending sanctions.
North Korea says its rocket launch was for the sole purpose of putting a satellite into orbit; the US and North Korea’s neighbors say it was a test of long-range missile technology banned under UN resolutions.
The second warning in two days came in a statement from the Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, carried by KCNA news agency.
North Korea pledged physical counter-measures against South Korea if it participated in the UN sanctions regime
“If the puppet group of traitors takes a direct part in the UN <<sanctions>>, the DPRK [North Korea] will take strong physical counter-measures against it,” it said, referring to the South Korean leadership.
“<<Sanctions>> mean a war and a declaration of war against us.”
The UN resolution, passed on Tuesday, expanded existing sanctions against Pyongyang that were imposed after its previous nuclear tests and rocket launches.
Washington has also expanded its own sanctions against North Korea, with targets including a Hong Kong-based trading company and two North Korean bank officials based in Beijing.
On Thursday, it spoke out against a third nuclear test.
“Further provocations would only increase Pyongyang’s isolation, and its continued focus on its nuclear and missile programme is doing nothing to help the North Korean people,” White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters.
Beijing has called for dialogue, urging all parties to act with restraint and “look at the long-term interest”.
But an editorial in China’s state-run Global Times appeared to hint at exasperation.
“If North Korea engages in further nuclear tests, China will not hesitate to reduce its assistance,” the editorial said.
Both North Korea’s previous nuclear tests followed long-range rocket launches.
North Korea has announced it arrested US citizen Pae Jun Ho for unspecified alleged crimes on November 3rd.
Pae Jun Ho entered the country as a tourist, state media reported.
Some reports from South Korea have said the man is a Korean American who operates a travel company and went to the North guiding a group of tourists.
In recent years North Korea has arrested and released several US citizens, including journalists and Christians accused of proselytism.
State media said Pae Jun Ho was subject to criminal proceedings.
North Korea has announced it arrested US citizen Pae Jun Ho for unspecified alleged crimes on November 3rd
“In the process of investigation, evidence proving that he committed a crime against the DPRK was revealed,” state news agency KCNA reported.
“He admitted his crime.”
It also said the man had met officials from the Swedish embassy. Sweden represents US interests in North Korea because Washington and Pyongyang do not have diplomatic relations.
The arrest comes amid tension between the US and North Korea over a recent North Korean rocket launch.
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