By Alex Jensen
SEOUL (AA) – North Korea's Chairman Kim Jong-un criticized global sanctions against his country Friday, dampening optimistic remarks from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
After being asked by President Donald Trump for a Pyongyang update, Washington's top ambassador told a Cabinet meeting Thursday that he was hoping to “make a big step here before too long. “
But the North continues to pressure the U.S. over key sticking points that seemingly stand in the way of Pyongyang's denuclearization — including Washington's insistence on maintaining sanctions until the regime verifiably abandons its nukes.
While inspecting the construction of a coastal resort, Kim reportedly described the situation as “a do-or-die struggle “.
“Such a huge and grand creation campaign as the construction of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area is an acute standoff with hostile forces trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade, ” Kim was quoted as saying by North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency.
Meanwhile, the North's official Rodong Sinmun carried a commentary Friday saying that the U.S. should agree to declare a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War “to pave the ground for detente and permanent peace “.
The newspaper insisted that Washington “should implement phased and simultaneous measures, like the end-of-war declaration, to build mutual trust. “
However, the U.S. has repeatedly stated that Pyongyang must first denuclearize before they can officially enter a state of peace.
At the risk of further upsetting Washington, Kim's number two Choe Ryong-hae is currently visiting Cuba, according to the country's Prensa Latina news agency.
Choe's trip there comes just days after Ri Yong-ho, North Korea's foriegn minister, said he was building ties in Iran, another country the U.S. has difficult relations with.
