North Korean leader Kim Jung Un’s influential sister has this warning for Joe Biden administration in the United States: “If you wish to sleep well for the next four years, it would be better not to create work from the start that will make you lose sleep.”
Kim Yo Jong, a key adviser to her brother, had these chilling words to offer after the United States and South Korea began joint military exercise. Her words were carried in Pyongyong’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper: A word of advice to the new administration of the United States that is struggling to spread the smell of gunpowder in our land.”
This reaction came after top Biden administration officials began visiting key allies Tokyo and Seoul to rally military alliance against China and cement a united front against North Korea.
Former US president Donald Trump had an unorthodox approach but there was an extraordinary diplomatic bromance that saw a series of headline-grabbing moments.
But ultimately no progress was made towards Washington’s declared aim of denuclearising North Korea, which is under multiple international sanctions for its banned weapons programmes.
It has isolated itself further, imposing a strict border closure to protect itself against the coronavirus pandemic that first emerged in neighbouring China.
Shortly before Biden’s January inauguration, leader Kim decried the US as his country’s “foremost principal enemy” and Pyongyang unveiled a new submarine-launched ballistic missile at a military parade.
