VIDEO: North Korea says no changes in politics; warn of reprisals on South Korea
North Korea is promising more of the same and continues to make threats against South Korea and its western allies as the country moves forward under new leader Kim Jong-un.
In typically bellicose language, North Korea warned foreign governments not to expect any changes now that Kim Jong-un is firmly in power.
The harshest words, however, were reserved for South Korea and President Lee Myung-bak. North Korea accused the South of treason and inhumanity for failing to offer condolences and letting just two private delegations travel to North Korea during “the great funeral of the nation.”
“We declare solemnly and confidently that the foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet group in South Korea, should not expect any change from us,” North Korea said in a statement read on state TV. “We will never deal with the traitor group of Lee Myung-bak.”
The North also said that it may take military actions to punish the South for putting its military on high alert when word of Kim Jong-il's death was announced.
"The South Korean authorities put the three services of the puppet army on an emergency alert and ordered them to adopt combat posture, creating a war-like atmosphere on the ground and in the seas and air," the North's statement said. "We will surely force the group of traitors to pay for its hideous crimes committed at the time of the great national misfortune. The veritable sea of tears shed by the army and people of the DPRK will turn into that of retaliatory fire to burn all the group of traitors to the last one and their wailing into a roar of revenge to smash the stronghold of the puppet forces."
While the words are strong, they're not unusual. North Korea often resorts to strong language and threats in an effort to exact concessions from foreign governments or to rally its people around a common enemy.
South Korean officials offered a measured response, saying they would watch their northern neighbor closely. The two countries technically remain at war because the 1950s conflict ended in a truce, rather than a peace treaty.
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