Pro-Pyongyang paper denounces Bolton as hurdle to N.K.-U.S. relations

SEOUL, May 18 (Yonhap) -- A pro-North Korean newspaper in Japan on Friday poured raw criticism on U.S. President Trump's national security adviser, John Bolton, warning that he might have a negative impact on future relations between the two countries.

The Chosun Sinbo said in a column,"(Bolton) has no clear ideology or theory. Instead, he is a simple follower of simple thinking, racism and the narrow-minded America First policy."

With a summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un slated for June 12, Bolton has repeatedly said there should be no guarantee of benefits to the North until the communist state completely, verifiably and irreversibly dismantles its nuclear program.

After Pyongyang's abrupt cancellation of planned inter-Korean talks on Wednesday, North Korea's First Vice Minister Kim Kye-gwan said that it is "absolutely absurd" to demand the so-called Libya model denuclearization process for his country and also expressed a "feeling of repugnance" toward Bolton.

The pro-Pyongyang newspaper expressed full support for Kim Kye-gwan's remarks.

"The remarks from a well experienced diplomat who has long been involved in the (North's) relations with the U.S. carry weight," said the newspaper's column titled "The Identity of Bolton."

Noting Bolton was condemned by Pyongyang as human scum in the past, the newspaper said that he has a history of hindering the progress of bilateral relations by harshly slandering the North's top leader and regime.

It also noted that Bolton has been at the forefront of a "super-hardline" U.S. campaign for the application of the Libya denuclearization model for the North, a complete, verifiable, irreversible dismantling of nuclear weapons, transfer of dismantled nuclear weapons to the U.S. and the demolition of biochemical weapons.

North Korea watchers say the Chosun Sinbo's column has again vocalized Pyongyang's displeasure over Bolton's hawkish stance toward the North.

ycm@yna.co.kr
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