Pyongyang denies allegations of Hamas using North Korean weapons
North Korea on Friday denied the allegations that the Palestinian militant group Hamas used weapons produced by the country for an unprecedented attack on Israel.
North Korea's state-run Korean Central News Agency, primarily targeting international audiences, published an article on the war titled "The current crisis in the Middle East portends a greater strategic setback for the United States."
The statement, authored by Ri Kwang-song, a commentator on international affairs, notably and explicitly refuted media reports and analyses claiming that Hamas used North Korea-made weapons, including 85mm F-7 surface-to-surface high-explosive fragmentation rockets, in its surprise attack on Israel that began on Saturday.
"What can not be overlooked is the recurring use of the United States resorting to its hackneyed and malicious plot and propaganda against the DPRK to forcibly link the recent Middle East crisis to us," the Korean-language statement read, referring to North Korea by the acronym of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
The statement accused the US administration's state-affiliated media outlets and experts of "spreading the groundless conspiracy theory that 'North Korea-produced weaponry' was used in the attacks on Israel."
"Furthermore, they are disseminating unfounded opinions that we intend to capitalize on the US focus on the Middle East and Ukraine to increase tensions in the region through a 'coercive diplomacy strategy.'"
This is not the first instance of Hamas being observed using North Korean-manufactured weaponry in attacks against Israel. For instance, in May 2021, during armed confrontations with Israel, Hamas was reported to have employed F-7 rockets and a limited number of North Korean Bulsae-2 anti-tank guided missiles, according to Orxy, a reputable military analysis website.
North Korea has a longstanding history of manufacturing and exporting weapons to the Middle East. To illustrate, as a case in point, North Korean weapons intercepted in Thailand back in 2009 were destined for Hamas.
In its statement, North Korea, which recognized Palestine as an independent state in 1988 but does not recognize Israel as a country, asserted that the US is the primary root of the ongoing conflict.
"The international community has concluded that the root cause of the occurrence of the situation is the US, which pursues the most reactionary policy toward the Middle East by openly harboring and supporting its ally that has illegitimately occupied Palestinian territory and callously violated the rights of the Palestinian people," read the statement.
North Korea additionally asserted that the Biden administration's diplomatic initiative to facilitate an agreement between longstanding rivals Israel and Saudi Arabia to establish diplomatic relations "has had the adverse effect of further complicating the resolution of the Palestinian issue."
Pyongyang claimed that the current war between Hamas and Israel "reveals the limitations of the US hegemonic strategy, which depends on strengthening relationships with allies and partner countries for the establishment of a 'rules-based international order.'"
"The ongoing Middle East crisis marks just the beginning of a new strategic setback that the US will need to put up with," the statement read.
"As the US attempts to undermine international justice and disrupt world peace and stability, the international determination to firmly respond will only intensify manyfold, and the US will pay the most grievous price."
-
S. Korea, AIIB discuss stronger partnership, new investment chances'Scent of Ink' to be performed at Kennedy Center in WashingtonPyongyang denies allegations of Hamas using North Korean weaponsSeoul to implement alert system to manage overcrowded areas금태섭 “文 전 대통령, 조국 출마 적절한지 의견 분명히 해야”[New on scene] Hong Xa北, 러 주최 국제포럼서 '국제수송' 논의…무기거래 우회로 찾나S. Korea joins ICRC's major donor group for 1st timeKIPO chief strengthens IP alliances with Middle Eastern counterpartsKorea extends fuel tax cut scheme until year's end
下一篇:[이번 주 리뷰]北,군사위성 발사…정부 온라인 장애속출(20~25일)
- ·[KH explains] Hyundai to sell vehicles on Amazon in US sales push
- ·N. Korea slams Japan's plan to move up US missile purchase as 'arrogant choice'
- ·이용, 지도부 때린 서병수·홍문표에 "선당후사·솔선수범 하라"
- ·SK to hold CEO meeting in Paris
- ·Gangnam teen investigated for assaulting deliveryman with golf club
- ·Gyeongbokgung entrance platform, new signboard unveiled
- ·N. Korea threatens to strike US aircraft carrier
- ·Enhypen announces Nov. 17 comeback with 'Orange Blood'
- ·KIPO chief strengthens IP alliances with Middle Eastern counterparts
- ·HMM sale to face hurdles amid slowdown in shipping industry
- ·공군 수송기 급파, 한·일 220명 텔아비브 탈출
- ·Andong, serene destination for immersing in traditions
- ·Van Cleef & Arpels touring exhibition brings sparkles to Seoul
- ·[KH Explains] Amazon's cloud industry plans raise fears of Korean market monopoly
- ·BTS' V joined by Jimin in solo fan meeting 'Vicnic'
- ·Try on traditional Korean costume during Hanbok Culture Week
- ·Van Cleef & Arpels touring exhibition brings sparkles to Seoul
- ·이용, 지도부 때린 서병수·홍문표에 "선당후사·솔선수범 하라"
- ·공군 수송기 급파, 한·일 220명 텔아비브 탈출
- ·[New in Korean] Booker Prize
- ·러 매체 “北 위성에 러시아 도움, 근거 없다…포탄 지원설도 마찬가지”
- ·Andong, serene destination for immersing in traditions
- ·北, 러 주최 국제포럼서 '국제수송' 논의…무기거래 우회로 찾나
- ·'Scent of Ink' to be performed at Kennedy Center in Washington
- ·Koreans will 'freeze to death' for iced Americanos even in winter
- ·Japan thanks S. Korea for Israel rescue effort
- ·Mirae Asset Securities to buy back shares worth W60b
- ·Seoul shares close nearly flat on US rate
- ·Man nabbed in naked rampage
- ·[KH Explains] Why Starbucks' new coupon policy is a big deal in Korea
- ·LIG Nex1 seals global defense ties at Seoul ADEX 2023
- ·윤 대통령 “저보고 소통 부족하다 지적하는 분 많아 반성”
- ·[Herald Interview] Rising star conductor Klaus Makela to meet Korean audiences
- ·이종석, 검수완박법엔 입법취소 의견…공수처법 위헌 입장
- ·Strengthening Vietnam
- ·Hanmi Global to host forum on data center construction
- ·[KH explains] Hyundai to sell vehicles on Amazon in US sales push
- ·TXT shatters records, tops charts with 3rd LP
- ·Try on traditional Korean costume during Hanbok Culture Week
- ·N. Korea threatens to strike US aircraft carrier
- ·Yoon replaces spy agency leadership
- ·N. Korea threatens to strike US aircraft carrier
- ·[New in Korean] Booker Prize
- ·HD Korea Shipbuilding to build world's first ammonia
- ·‘Smugglers’ wins best picture at 44th Blue Dragon Film Awards
- ·Doosan Robotics to supply chicken