North Korea Claims CIA Plots To Assassinate Kim Jong Un

The Republic of North Korea under the regime of Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un has on Friday accused the American and South Korean intelligence services of plotting to assassinate the leader with "biochemical substances," a move it characterized as a "last-ditch effort" of "imperialists" that was "beyond the limits."

 

The allegation was made by the North's ministry of state security and published by state-run media. It comes amid soaring tensions on the Korean peninsula over whether the North will try to conduct a sixth nuclear test — in defiance of United Nations security council resolutions. In recent weeks, a war of words between President Trump's administration and Pyongyang has brought the West to the brink of military hostilities with North Korea over its weapons program.

The North claimed that the CIA and IS — South Korea's Intelligence Service — "hatched a vicious plot" targeting Kim while he appeared in public in Pyongyang for ceremonial events.

Security and diplomatic experts consistently advise caution in interpreting North Korean statements. It is a highly reclusive state all but closed to the outside world.

The statement did not specify a date for the plot, but said that the plotter's intention was to target Kim with a bomb while he was "at the Kumsusan Palace of the Sun and at a military parade and public procession after his return home." Kim watched a military parade in the North Korean capital on April 15 as part of celebrations marking the 105th anniversary of North Korea's founding. North Korea said a terrorist group helped coordinate the plot. It did not say how it was foiled.