N. Korea slams 'loser' Obama for regime collapse remark

Image
AFP Seoul
Last Updated : Jan 25 2015 | 2:00 PM IST
North Korea today described US President Barack Obama as a "loser" over his criticism on its regime, accusing him of being obsessed with hostility towards Pyongyang.
The comment from the North's foreign ministry came after Obama spoke of the eventual collapse of the regime ruling what he called "the most isolated, the most sanctioned, the most cut-off nation on Earth".
"We will keep on ratcheting the pressure, but part of what's happening is... The Internet over time is going to be penetrating this country," Obama said in an interview on YouTube from the White House last week.
"Over time you will see a regime like this collapse," he said, adding the US was looking for ways to accelerate the flow of information into the country.
A spokesman for the North's foreign ministry lashed out at the remarks, describing them as "rubbish".
"The recent wild remarks made by Obama are nothing but a poor grumble of a loser driven into a tight corner in the all-out standoff with the (North)," the spokesman told state news agency KCNA.
"We cannot but be shocked to find that Obama... Is so preoccupied with the inveterate repugnancy and hostility toward a sovereign state."
Attempts to topple the regime -- led by Kim Jong-Un -- would only strengthen unity among its people, he said.
The North has often used bombastic and sometimes racist rhetoric to slam Obama and other US leaders.
Last month its top military body chaired by Kim compared Obama to a "monkey" over his support for the screening of a Hollywood comedy hated by Pyongyang.
"The Interview" -- about a fictional plot to assassinate Kim -- was released online and in theatres last month, despite devastating cyberattacks on its producer Sony Pictures.
Washington blames Pyongyang for the attacks, a charge the North has angrily denied.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Jan 25 2015 | 2:00 PM IST

Next Story