(2nd LD) N. Korea warns of capital punishment against ex-President Park
(ATTN: ADDS background in paras 2-3, NIS response in last para)
SEOUL, June 28 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Wednesday warned of capital punishment against a former South Korean president and former spy chief for their alleged plot to assassinate North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
The angry statement came after a Japanese media report that former South Korean President Park Geun-hye had instructed former National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director Lee Byung-ho to oust Kim by any means -- including assassination.
The latest claim came amid lingering tensions on the Korean peninsula over North Korea's nuclear and missile programs.
"Former President Park Geun-hye and former spy chief Lee Byung-ho as well as NIS agents can never make any appeal even though they meet miserable dog's death any time, at any place and by whatever methods from this moment," North Korea Ministry of State Security said in an English-language statement carried by the country's official Korean Central News Agency.
The statement demanded South Korea immediately hand over Park and Lee to North Korea, claiming they committed what it claims is hideous state-sponsored terrorism against the North's supreme leadership.
North Korea also warned it will impose summary punishment without advance notice on those who organized, took part in or pursued the plot in case the U.S. and South Korea again try to stage terrorist attack against North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"We do not hide that should the U.S. and the South Korean authorities defy this warning and challenge our resolute measure, they will be made to pay a dear price in an irresistible physical way," said the statement, which was also issued by the Ministry of People's Security and the Central Public Prosecutors Office.
When contacted by Yonhap, the NIS dismissed "as groundless" North Korea's allegation of South Korea's assassination plot against North Korean leader Kim.
kyongae.choi@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
Defense chief says N. Korea's hypersonic missile 'unsuccessful' in last-stage glide flight
-
N. Korea has capability to genetically engineer biological military products: U.S. report
-
Man in his 40s nabbed for spray-painting slurs toward ex-President Moon
-
Police catch 1,681 over alleged election law violations
-
PPP lawmaker says entire Cabinet should resign over general elections defeat
-
Ruling party leader resigns following election defeat
-
Defense chief says N. Korea's hypersonic missile 'unsuccessful' in last-stage glide flight
-
(LEAD) Yoon vows to improve communication with people after election defeat
-
N.K. leader vows to deal 'death-blow' to enemy in event of confrontation: KCNA
-
Yoon presides over emergency meeting on Mideast crisis
-
N. Korea has capability to genetically engineer biological military products: U.S. report
-
U.S. 'incredibly concerned' about suspected N.K.-Iran military ties
-
Army, Marine Corps conduct live-fire drills near border with N. Korea
-
(LEAD) Presidential office denies Moon aides under consideration for PM, chief of staff
-
(2nd LD) S. Korea 'strongly' protests Tokyo's renewed claims to Dokdo, calls in Japanese diplomat