Foreign Affairs
North Korea Orders The Death Of Two Reporters Over Book Review
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North Korea doesn’t take criticism very well.
A North Korean court sentenced two South Korean reporters for reviewing a new book about changes in North Korea written by two British authors, North Korean state media revealed Thursday, according to Reuters.
“North Korea Confidential,” a book authored by Reuters correspondent James Pearson and Economist writer Daniel Tudor, is based on interviews with defectors, diplomats, and merchants and describes a society with an evolving capitalist system where money can buy power and influence.
The Korean-language version — “Capitalist Republic of Korea” — was reviewed by Son Hyo-rim, a reporter for the Donga-A Ilbo, and Yang Ji-ho, a journalist for the Choson Ilbo.
The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) declared that the book “viciously slandered the reality of the DPRK” and accused the South Korean reporters of “seriously insulting the dignity” of North Korea.
“Dong-A Ilbo, Chosun Ilbo and other conservative media in South Korea have so far committed smear campaign against the DPRK nonstop,” KCNA said, “The criminals hold no right to appeal and the execution will be carried out any moment and at any place without going through any additional procedures.”
It is unclear if the North is hinting at possible overseas assassinations.
This is not the first time North Korea has ordered executions of accused criminals in absentia. In June, North Korea ordered the death of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who was removed from power for corruption, and her former spy chief. The order followed unsubstantiated reports that the former president and her spies orchestrated a plan to assassinate North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. (RELATED: North Korea Issues Standing Order For The Murder Of South Korea’s Former President)
North Korea has also lashed out at newspapers and even congressman in the U.S. For instance, the regime flipped out after an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal called for regime change. (RELATED: North Korea Freaks Out After The Wall Street Journal Calls For Regime Change).
In another incident, state media threatened to rain down destruction on the U.S. after Arizona Senator John McCain called Kim a “crazy fat kid.”
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