Kuwait Expels North Korean Ambassador

Continuing the tensions over North Korea's missile tests, Kuwait announced on Sunday that it is reducing its diplomatic and economic relations with North Korea. Simultaneously, the German Foreign Minister called for a dual strategy towards North Korea. According to the French news agency, Kuwait has asked the North Korean ambassador in the country to leave within a month. A senior Kuwaiti official, who wished to remain anonymous, told the French news agency that Kuwait is lowering its diplomatic relations with North Korea, and only four out of nine North Korean diplomats will be allowed to stay and work in Kuwait. This decision comes two weeks after Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Emir of Kuwait, met with American officials in Washington. According to these sources, So Chang-sik, the North Korean ambassador to Kuwait, will leave the country in the coming weeks along with other diplomats from North Korea. The French news agency reports that Kuwait will no longer renew work permits and visas for North Korean workers in Kuwait, which are estimated to number between 2,000 to 2,500. Kuwait has also announced that it will reduce its trade relations with North Korea and flights from its territory to North Korea. On the other hand, it was announced in Berlin on Sunday that Sigmar Gabriel, the German Foreign Minister, who arrived in Beijing on Saturday night, would discuss North Korea's recent missile tests with his Chinese counterpart. After the meeting, the German Foreign Minister stated that it is clear that a dual strategy of pressure and dialogue must be adopted towards North Korea. He emphasized that UN sanctions against North Korea, in response to its recent missile tests, must be implemented decisively and completely, while also preparing for a necessary political dialogue process with North Korea to achieve denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The United States has called on all countries, including Russia and China, to take 'direct action' to prevent North Korea's missile and nuclear activities. Rex Tillerson, the U.S. Secretary of State, stated that 'China is the most important oil supplier to North Korea. Russia is the largest labor market for North Korean forced laborers.' On Friday, September 15, Pyongyang launched another missile over Japan towards the Pacific Ocean, just four days after a new round of UN sanctions. According to Japanese government officials, this missile passed over Hokkaido in the north and landed about 2,000 kilometers east of Japan in the Pacific Ocean. South Korean military sources also reported that this missile traveled approximately 3,700 kilometers, which is sufficient to reach Guam, part of U.S. territory in the Pacific that North Korea has threatened. Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, condemned North Korea's action of launching another ballistic missile, calling it a serious violation of UN Security Council resolutions. According to the Associated Press, Stéphane Dujarric, the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, stated on Friday, September 15, that Mr. Guterres has urged North Korean leaders to 'refrain from further tests and comply with Security Council resolutions on this matter, allowing space for the resumption of serious dialogue on nuclear disarmament.' Recent Security Council sanctions include a ban on textile exports from North Korea and restrictions on its oil exports. Kim Jong-un, the leader of North Korea, stated that his country's ultimate goal is to achieve 'a balance of power with the United States.' The North Korean state news agency reported on Saturday morning the leader's remarks, stating: 'Our ultimate goal is to establish a real balance of power with the United States' so that its rulers 'no longer dare to speak of military options.' Shortly after these comments were published, the Chinese ambassador to the U.S. emphasized that his country will never recognize North Korea as a nuclear power.