{"id":4174,"date":"2019-04-19T14:04:59","date_gmt":"2019-04-19T05:04:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.01.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/?p=4174"},"modified":"2019-04-22T12:45:16","modified_gmt":"2019-04-22T03:45:16","slug":"anti-us-sentiment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.02.asiapress.org\/rimjin-gang\/2019\/04\/politics\/anti-us-sentiment\/","title":{"rendered":"\uff1cInside N. Korea\uff1e Held Tongues, Tied Hands: Officials Concerned as Rising Anti-U.S. Sentiment Creates Obstacle for Negotiations"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Kim Jong-un, appearing considerably tired, returning from Vietnam on March 5 at dawn. As broadcast by North Korea\u2019s Chosun Central Television<\/p><\/div>\n

\u25c6 \u201cDo not compromise with the U.S.\u201d - is public opinion threatening the regime\u2019s authority?<\/h2>\n

After the breakdown of the U.S.-North Korea denuclearization talks in Hanoi in late February, a mood of disappointment spread among North Korean citizens who had been expecting for sanctions to be lifted.<\/p>\n

Many of these citizens criticized President Trump, accusing him of being a \u2018liar\u2019 and a \u2018fraud\u2019, while others complained about their own government, disappointed at the regime\u2019s failure to strike a deal.<\/p>\n

After Kim Jong-un returned from Hanoi, the regime reiterated its criticisms of the U.S., airing its grievances at political rallies attended by all members of social organizations, businesses, and the general public. In April, however, reporting partners told ASIAPRESS that senior officials were making efforts to quell the rising tide of anti-american sentiment.<\/p>\n

A reporting partner living in Chongjin City, North Hamkyung Province, invited local government officials over for a meal to have the opportunity to hear their perspective.<\/p>\n

The reporting partner summarized some of the night\u2019s conversation, relating the following:<\/p>\n

Speaking on the U.S. demand to denuclearize, lower-level officials were in opposition to compromise, making hard-line remarks such as: \u201cAbandoning our nuclear program is equivalent to surrendering to the United States,\u201d \u201cIf they say we must give up our nukes, then the U.S. should give up their nukes at the same time as well,\u201d \u201cThose Americans can\u2019t be trusted,\u201d etc.<\/p>\n

Said the reporting partner, \u201cCriticism of the U.S. by ordinary citizens has already faded away but government officials, on the other hand, are still making these type of harsh anti-american remarks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The most senior official at the table, however, seemed to have a different attitude, saying, \u201cWhether we continue negotiating with the Americans or go to war with them, General Kim Jong-un will surely emerge victorious.\u201d Continuing, the official said, \u201cRather, we have been trying to curb lower-ranking officers from speaking ill of the United States.\u201d<\/p>\n

Next page : State media also refrains from denouncing the U.S.\u2026 <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u25c6 State media also refrains from denouncing the U.S.<\/h2>\n

The North Korean authorities have not referred to the Hanoi summit as a \u2018failure\u2019. Rather than directly criticize President Trump for the breakdown, state media blamed the \u2018hard-liners\u2019, Bolton and Pompeo, for an agreement not being reached.<\/p>\n

Though it must be appealing for the regime to respond to the difficulties caused by the sanctions with renewed calls for \u201cself-reliance\u201d, the state has thus far refrained from using harsh language in order to avoid a return to its confrontational relationship with the United States.<\/p>\n

The Kim Jong-un regime seems to be wary of losing its image of authority, aware that, if anti-american sentiment was too strong amongst the general public, then any concessions in future talks with the U.S. could be viewed as \u2018submissive\u2019 or \u2018bowing down to Trump\u2019.<\/p>\n

On April 11, while North Korea held its Supreme People\u2019s Assembly, President Moon met with President Trump in Washington DC. If Kim Jong-un would like to meet President Trump once more, he will likely display a favorable attitude towards denuclearization talks in the near future. (Kang Ji-won)<\/p>\n

\u203bThe North Korean authorities have repeatedly announced through propaganda that, \u201cKim Jong-un succeeded in the Hanoi talks with excellent diplomacy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u203bASIAPRESS contacts its partners through mobile phones smuggled in from China.<\/p>\n

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