Alexander of the University / AFP

The official North Korean news agency criticized Emmanuel Macron’s words about the country’s involvement in the war in Ukraine.

SEOUL – Tensions are escalating between North Korea and France after the North Korean state news agency, KCNA, released an article criticizing French President Emmanuel Macron for what it described as «Reckless» statements regarding North Korea’s alleged support for Russia in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The agency labeled Macron’s remarks as “Shocking inepties”.

The commentary, penned by international security analyst Choe Ju Hyun, was a direct response to comments made by President Macron during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore the previous week.

During his opening address at the defense and security conference on May 30,Emmanuel Macron stated,“If China does not want NATO to be involved in Southeast asia or Asia,it must clearly prevent North Korea from being involved on European soil.” He was alluding to reports of North Korean soldiers deployed to Russia to fight against Ukrainian forces in the Koursk region.

The KCNA commentary retorted, “Macron makes a mistake if he thinks of being able to hide the aggressive and malicious NATO intention to put his dirty military shoes in the Asia-Pacific region by attacking the relations of cooperation between the RPDC (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, editor’s note) and Russia.”

“Shocking inepties”

Choe Ju Hyun’s commentary characterized Emmanuel Macron as “Publicly known as a politician who likes to be noticed with a series of shocking inepties and unrealistic assertions without worrying about the consequences.” The analyst further added, “France is obsessed with extreme insurance and is unable to judge the situation correctly.”

The analyst urged France “To realize as soon as possible that his contradictory behavior prevents him from being recognized as a representative of Europe.” KCNA did not specify any institutional affiliation for Choe ju Hyun.

In recent years, military cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang has grown, with North Korea reportedly providing weaponry and troops to support Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. The two nations formalized their alliance with a mutual defense agreement during Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s visit to North Korea last year.

The KCNA statement coincided with a second visit to North Korea in under three months by Sergei Choigou, the secretary of the Russian Security Council, on Wednesday. He was received by North Korean leader Kim Jong one, who pledged Moscow “Unconditional support” regarding the situation in Ukraine.

“Macron makes a mistake if he thinks of being able to hide the aggressive and malicious NATO intention…”