North Korea Humiliates Japan at UN Meeting

Kim Chang-guk, the director of the board of the international organization of North Korea, created a stir by using abasing words to address Japan.

He used the word “Japs” three times during his speech at the general meeting for the IAEA’s annual report, criticizing Japan’s aggressive attitude toward North Korea. “Japs” is an expression used to degrade and humiliate the Japanese.

He insisted, “The ‘Japs’ are trying to use the conference of the six nations improperly, based on their political and military interests, and thus should not be entitled to join.” Kim added, “How can we be relaxed in such a situation in which the ‘Japs’ are discussing about restraining North Korea, and the senior administrators of Japan, including the minister of defense, are planning containment offensives towards North Korea?” He criticized Japan severely, saying, “It is spiteful, and shows both a political superiority complex and contempt towards North Korea.”

His word of “Japs” is interpreted to be a protest against Motomura Yoshiyuki, a vice-ambassador of UN, who used “North Korea” to address the country instead of the formal term “DPRK” in his speech at the IAEA report on October 2.

Regarding this situation, Motomura explained, “The term ’North Korea’ was to distinguish between ROK (South Korea) and DPRK (North Korea). It was not meant for abuse.” He further added, “However, the word of ‘Japs’ has a shade of abuse in its meaning. We are planning to demand an explanation from the representatives of North Korea.” Julian Hunt, president of the UN general meeting, also commented on Kim’s words, saying “Not to use abusive expressions in the conference hall.” However, it was said after Kim had already left.

In the general meeting that day, the IAEA’s annual report indicated North Korea, Iran and Iraq as the dangerous nuclear countries and suggested for the UN to control all the uranium and plutonium, which can be used to develop nuclear arms and controlling it will help prevent nuclear weapons, was passed with overwhelming support 129:1. North Korea was the only nation who was against it.