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North Korea blames US 'provocation' for withdrawal of invitation to envoy North Korea blames US 'provocation' for withdrawal of invitation to envoy
(35 minutes later)
North Korea has explained why it withdrew an invitation to a US envoy to the country by saying Washington perpetrated a "grave provocation" by allegedly mobilising nuclear-capable bombers during recent military drills with Seoul.North Korea has explained why it withdrew an invitation to a US envoy to the country by saying Washington perpetrated a "grave provocation" by allegedly mobilising nuclear-capable bombers during recent military drills with Seoul.
Analysts said the moves signal that possible informal negotiations between the two countries over the release of Kenneth Bae are not going smoothly, with Pyongyang likely to be seeking some concessions from Washington in return for freeing him. Analysts said the moves signal that possible informal negotiations between the two countries over the release of Kenneth Bae are not going smoothly, with Pyongyang likely to be seeking concessions from Washington in return for freeing him.
Bob King, the US special envoy for North Korean human rights, had been scheduled to travel to Pyongyang on Friday for talks to secure the release of Bae, a 45-year-old tour operator and Christian missionary who has been detained since November for committing "hostile acts." He was sentenced in April to 15 years' hard labour. Bob King, the US special envoy for North Korean human rights, had been scheduled to travel to Pyongyang on Friday for talks to secure the release of Bae, a 45-year-old tour operator and Christian missionary who has been detained since November for committing "hostile acts". He was sentenced in April to 15 years' hard labour.
State media quoted an unidentified North Korean foreign ministry spokesman stating that his country had intended to allow King's visit even though the US and South Korea were conducting annual military drills, but the US had "beclouded the hard-won atmosphere of humanitarian dialogue in a moment" by allegedly infiltrating North Korean airspace wtih B-52H strategic bombers during the exercises. The unnamed offiical described this infiltration as "the most blatant nuclear blackmail against us". State media quoted an unidentified North Korean foreign ministry spokesman stating that his country had intended to allow King's visit even though the US and South Korea were conducting annual military drills, but the US had "beclouded the hard-won atmosphere of humanitarian dialogue in a moment" by allegedly infiltrating North Korean airspace wtih B-52H strategic bombers during the exercises. The unnamed official described it as "the most blatant nuclear blackmail against us".
Lim Eul Chul, a professor at South Korea's Kyungnam University, said the North Korean statement "may be the result of the fact that compromises are not being struck smoothly in US-North Korea negotiations" over what North Korea wants for releasing Bae, which he suggested might include the shipment of aid or the start of formal talks on improving ties.Lim Eul Chul, a professor at South Korea's Kyungnam University, said the North Korean statement "may be the result of the fact that compromises are not being struck smoothly in US-North Korea negotiations" over what North Korea wants for releasing Bae, which he suggested might include the shipment of aid or the start of formal talks on improving ties.
North Korea appears to be trying to gain leverage on the US by delaying King's trip, Lim said.North Korea appears to be trying to gain leverage on the US by delaying King's trip, Lim said.
North Korea has previously used detained Americans as bargaining chips in its standoff with the USover its nuclear and missile programs. North Korea has previously used detained Americans as bargaining chips in its standoff with the USover its nuclear and missile programmes.
US state department spokeswoman Marie Harf said on Friday America was "surprised and disappointed by North Korea's decision" and remains gravely concerned about Bae's health. US state department spokeswoman Marie Harf said on Friday America was "surprised and disappointed by North Korea's decision" and remained gravely concerned about Bae's health.
Bae's family expressed disappointment but said they were holding on to faith that North Korean and US diplomats would resume talks soon. Bae – who is the sixth American to be detained in North Korea since 2009 – suffers from multiple health problems. Bae's family expressed disappointment but said they were hoping that North Korean and US diplomats would resume talks soon. Bae – who is the sixth American to be detained in North Korea since 2009 – suffers from multiple health problems.
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