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North Korea raps old ally China after China's ban on coal

REUTERS

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un watches a performance given with splendor at the People's Theatre on Wednesday to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the State Merited Chorus in this photo released by North Korea's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) in Pyongyang on February 23, 2017. KCNA/via REUTERS

 

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea issued a rare reproach of China on Thursday saying its main diplomatic backer was "dancing to the tune" of the United States for halting North Korean coal imports because of its nuclear and missile programmes.

 

The North's state-run KCNA news agency did not refer directly to China by name but in an unmistakable censure it accused a "neighbouring country" of going along with North Korea's enemies to "bring down its social system".

 

"This country, styling itself a big power, is dancing to the tune of the U.S. while defending its mean behaviour with such excuses that it was meant not to have a negative impact on the living of the people in the DPRK but to check its nuclear programme," KCNA said in a commentary.

 

China said on Saturday it would ban coal imports from North Korea, which is officially known as the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), until the end of the year.

 

The ban came about a week after North Korea tested an intermediate-range ballistic missile in its first direct challenge to the international community since U.S. President Donald Trump took office. [nL4N1G6387]

 

Trump's administration has said China should do more to put pressure on North Korea. [nL4N1G40BO]

 

"A neighbouring country, which often claims itself to be a 'friendly neighbour', is .. threatening that 'the DPRK will suffer the biggest loss'," KCNA said in the commentary.

 

"It has unhesitatingly taken inhumane steps such as totally blocking foreign trade related to the improvement of people's living standard under the plea of the U.N. 'resolutions on sanctions' devoid of legal ground."

 

China is North Korea's sole major ally but it disapproves of its nuclear programme and has backed U.N. sanctions against it. China calls for the Korean peninsula to be free of nuclear weapons.

 

North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests, including two last year, although its claims to be able to miniaturise a nuclear weapon to be mounted on a missile have never been verified independently.

 

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said in a New Year speech the North was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile. State media has said such a launch could come at any time.

 

A fully developed ICBM could threaten the continental United States, which is about 9,000 km (5,500 miles) from North Korea.

 

North Korea was China's fourth biggest supplier of coal last year, with non-lignite imports reaching 22.48 million tonnes, up 14.5 percent compared with 2015.

 

(Reporting by Jack Kim; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2017-02-24

[elgordo38]

Has he got a whoopie cushion under him in the picture to make him look taller. He better watch his step. Hiding under China's skirts allows him to rush out launch a rocket or explode a bomb then he rushes back underneath. He might find the door to this blocked some day. China what  a magnanimous  gesture for a whole year yet. 

 

[sweatalot]

Look at the photo. See all the happy faces.

[Stargeezr]

China should call the top 5 people of NK to come to China, and shoot their leader, and find out who else needs a bullet and which 2 remaining members want to try lead NK in the future.  Ha Ha  I  am only

dreaming, again!

Geezer

[Grubster]

China has a way of getting what they want. A lower price for the coal will do.

[Scott]

Perhaps NK could use their nuclear capability to provide electricity and heat for their citizens.  

[elgordo38]

12 hours ago, Grubster said:

China has a way of getting what they want. A lower price for the coal will do.

Yes your right. They are running all over the planet with their check book out ensnaring gullible countries to sign on the doted line to bring "prosperity" to their country. Little do these countries realize that they are signing their country over and making the populous indentured slaves as taking of China's  money puts them in the drivers seat offering whatever wages and benefits if any that they feel the people are deserving of. In a lot of cases like Greece and another country in Africa the people are rebelling. They are doing this all under the guise of the so called "The New Silk Road" The Chinese are devious b******s

[keithathome]

China has only stopped coal imports because they're angry  Fatty Fatty removed their (would be) puppet from any future scenario NOT because of nuclear testing.