Washington, Dec 17 : The US has continued to keep North Korea on its list of state sponsors of terrorism, a State Department report revealed.
North Korea has been on the list of state sponsors of terrorism since 2017 when North Korean agents assassinated leader Kim Jong-un’s half brother, Kim Jong-nam, using chemical agents in Malaysia, reports Yonhap News Agency.
“In 2017 the Secretary of State determined the DPRK had repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism since its State Sponsor of Terrorism designation was rescinded in 2008,” the report, Country Reports on Terrorism, released on Thursday said, noting the North was first designated as a state sponsor of terrorism in 1988 for its involvement in the tragic bombing of a South Korean passenger jet the year before.
DPRK stands for the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the North’s official name.
“The DPRK also has failed to take action to address historical support for acts of international terrorism,” it said of reason North Korea remains on the list that includes Iran and Syria.
A State Department official said the North’s behaviour remains problematic, though the country may have not been directly implicated in acts of terrorism in recent years.
“North Korea’s behaviour, in a number of areas I think, remains problematic and concerning, and that’s part of the reason that they have remained on the list,” John Godfrey, acting coordinator for counter-terrorism, told reporters on Thursday.The report, which is annually submitted to US Congress, also said North Korea continues to provide shelter to four Japanese Red Army members wanted by the Japanese government for participating in the March 31, 1970 Japan Airlines hijacking.”The Japanese government also continues to seek a full accounting of the fate of numerous Japanese nationals believed to have been abducted by DPRK state entities in the 1970s and 1980s,” the report said, adding only five such abductees have been repatriated to Japan since 2002.The report also notes the .S offers rewards of up to $5 million for information leading to the disruption of financial mechanisms of any person or entity that supports the illicit activities of the North Korean government.ksk/
US keeps N.Korea on state sponsors of terrorism list
John Godfrey (acting coordinator for counterterrorism) stated that North Korea’s behavior in “a few areas” is still troubling and worrying. This report is submitted annually to the US Congress.
It also stated that four members of the Japanese Red Army are still being held hostage in North Korea for their participation in the hijacking of Japan Airlines on March 31, 1970.
The report stated that the Japanese government continues to demand a complete accounting on the fates of many Japanese citizens believed to be abducted in 1970s or 1980s by DPRK state agencies.
It also added five of these abductees were returned to Japan since 2002.
Report also mentions that the.S.offers up to $5,000,000 in rewards for any information that leads to disruption of financial systems of anyone or entity supporting the illegal activities of North Korean governments.
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