Pyongyang sends letter to Obama signed by Abraham Lincoln

North Korea on Tuesday made a new attempt to criticise the US by publishing a fictitious letter signed by the 16th American president Abraham Lincoln addressed to Barack Obama.

In the letter titled "Advice from Lincoln to Obama" and published by the propaganda website DPRK Today, the president appears to criticise President Obama's attempt to put an end to North Korea's nuclear weapons programme without committing himself to dispense with his own country's significantly larger arsenal, EFE news reported.

The fake Lincoln denounced Obama for wanting to abolish nuclear weapons in the world when the US has upgraded its arsenal and carried out atomic tests in Nevada in 2015.

"Look, Obama, the US has been threatening the stability and peace of that small country in the East for more than 70 years, and such an act is so shameful that I can't bear to see the US obstructing the people's development," continues the text, ensuring that North Korea will not succumb to the recent UN sanctions.

This imaginary Lincoln also exercises self-criticism in the letter warning that "the tactic by past American presidents, including me, who deceived the people ... is outdated."

Abraham Lincoln, who was one of the main opponents of slavery in the US during the 19th century, is greatly revered by Obama, who often mentions him in his speeches.

The unusual letter comes at a time of increased tension as Seoul and Washington carried out military manoeuvres in South Korea after Pyongyang recently threatened the US with nuclear attacks for the harsh sanctions imposed by the UN as a result of its weapons tests.