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North Korea Issues Veiled Threat on US Election

William Gallo

   SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - North Korea is urging the United States to "keep
   its mouth shut" about worsening inter-Korean relations, saying such
   silence will be beneficial if the U.S. wants to hold a successful
   presidential election in November.

   The statement published Thursday in the state-run Korean Central News
   Agency was issued by a relatively low-level official in North Korea's
   foreign ministry. But the comment is still notable, since it appears to
   be a threat to influence or interfere in the U.S. vote.

   North Korea has been unilaterally ramping up tensions with South Korea.
   This week, it said it will cut off all lines of official communication
   with the South. The U.S. State Department said it was "disappointed" in
   Pyongyang's decision.

   For North Korea, that comment amounted to interference in its internal
   affairs, according to Kwon Jong Gun, who heads the North Korean foreign
   ministry's North America department.

   "It would be good to keep your mouth shut," Kwon added. "This will not
   only be in the United States' interest, it will also be beneficial for
   a successful presidential election right in front of your nose."

   Before now, North Korea has not explicitly threatened to interfere in
   the U.S. election, set for November 3. But Pyongyang has signaled
   bigger provocations are ahead.

   In January, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said the world would soon
   witness a "new strategic weapon." But since then, the North has only
   continued to periodically test less provocative, short-range weapons.

   Trump, who has portrayed his outreach to Kim as a major foreign policy
   victory, has at times directly linked North Korea with his 2020
   re-election chances, despite little if any evidence suggesting it will
   be a major issue for U.S. voters.

   "(Kim) knows I have an election coming up. I don't think he wants to
   interfere with that, but we'll have to see," Trump said in early
   December.

   Empty threat?

   It's not clear how seriously North Korea's latest comments should be
   taken. The North Korean foreign ministry is not seen as influential in
   the country's decision-making process.And,ithas a history of issuing
   threats that were not carried out.

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