With tensions at an all time high, this couldn’t have happened at a worse time.
While the North Korean government have been vocally reacting to Trump’s standing with the nation, and continuing to test out their nuclear capabilities, this latest development may result in something of a tipping point.
According to The Washington Post, the man is in his fifties and is a professor at the Yanbian University of Science and Technology, situated quite close to the China/North Korea border.
Both the South Korean media agency Yonhap and the Swedish embassy in Pyongyang – who represent the U.S.’s interests within the nation as they do not have diplomatic relations with North Korea – have confirmed that the man was detained at Pyongyang international airport as he was about to leave the country.
Meanwhile, the North Korean government have sent out barely veiled threats to both America and Australia.
Rodong Sinmun, the newspaper of the North’s ruling Workers’ Party, said (via Reuters) of the American navy forces that have recently been in the area: “Our revolutionary forces are combat-ready to sink a U.S. nuclear powered aircraft carrier with a single strike.”
Similarly, the North Korean foreign ministry said (via ABC News) of Australia: “Think twice about the consequences to be entailed by her reckless tongue-lashing before flattering the US. The present Government of Australia is blindly and zealously toeing the US line.”
“If Australia persists in following the US’ moves to isolate and stifle North Korea … this will be a suicidal act of coming within the range of the nuclear strike of the strategic force of North Korea.”
