DPRK accuses ROK defense chief of trying to scuttle inter-Korean detente

PYONGYANG - The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Sunday accused Song Young-moo, Defense Minister of the Republic of Korea (ROK) of trying to scuttle the on-going inter-Korean detente by making a nuclear-related statement against the DPRK.

Calling the minister "scabbed sheep in a whole flock" and "traitor," the official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said in a commentary that Song's statement would chill the hard-won climate for improving the north-south relations.

According to the daily, the minister said earlier that if the DPRK "uses nuclear weapons" against the United States and the ROK, it will be "wiped off the face of the earth."

"Such a reckless act of Song seized with inveterate repugnance and hostility toward the fellow countrymen could scuttle the efforts for improving the inter-Korean relations," said the official daily of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

The DPRK and the ROK are cooperating in the upcoming Pyeongchang Winter Olympics which is to be kicked off next week.

While the process of arranging the DPRK's participation in the games is generally smooth, the DPRK has also warned that the United States and some conservative media and politicians in Seoul are trying to sabotage the peace efforts made by both sides.