North Korea says US could 'pay dearly' over Human Rights criticism

In latest war of words between rth Korea and United States, Pyongyang has said that Washington could 'pay dearly' for taking its issue with human rights accord. rth Korea even threatened US' 'verbal abuse' would only result in aggravation of an alrey tense situation on Korean peninsula. On December 21 foreign ministry spokesperson reportedly warned that if US dared to take issue with Pyongyang's system, it would have to face retaliation. 

United Nations General Assembly condemned rth Korea's 'long-standing and ongoing' violations of human rights in an annual resolution which was sponsored by dozens of countries including US. It was also rejected by UN envoy of Pyongyang.

rth Korean foreign ministry's statement is first one since US special representative for rth Korea, Stephen Beigun, publicly urged Kim Jong Un's nation to return to talks on December 16. However, apart from recent warning, re has t been any direct response from rth Korea to Biegun's entreaty. 

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US Defense Secretary Mark Esper said on December 20 that he is hopeful that Washington can resume diplomatic relations with Pyongyang as its year-end deline approaches end. rth Korea wants US to drop its 'hostile policy' over its nuclear arsenal.

Reportedly, tensions between both countries have escalated over past months with rth Korea conducting a series of weapons tests and wd verbal spat with US President Donald Trump.

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rth Korea-US relations

United States special representative for rth Korea, Stephen Beigun recently visited region to meet with officials from Pyongyang but he h to return without meeting m because apparently he couldn't secure a meeting with his rth Korean counterparts.

Beigun, however, visited Seoul and Tokyo for discussions on regional security situation. While in Seoul, Beigun challenged rth Korea to restart discussions and warned that any provocative missile test will be most unhelpful in achieving lasting peace on Korean peninsula. 

Under leership of Donald Trump, United States in 2018 for first time ever started talks with rth Korea. Donald Trump met with his rth Korean counterpart Kim Jong-un for a summit meeting held at Sentosa, Singapore to discuss new peaceful relations and denuclearisation of Korean peninsula.  

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(With ncy inputs)