Peace talks are over, N Korea tells Seoul

NORTH KOREA yesterday angrily announced that peace talks with South Korea were over as it launched its sixth missile test in a month.

Pyongyang fired at least two short-range ballistic missiles in a familiar display of frustration at the lack of progress over the lifting of harsh economic sanctions.

Angered by military drills this month with the US, officials called Moon Jae-in, the South Korean president, “impudent”.

The move will come as a blow to Mr Moon, who appeared to have developed a warm rapport with Kim Jong-un, the North’s leader.

“We have nothing to talk about any more with the South Korean authorities nor have any idea to sit with them again,” Pyongyang’s regime said. The rebuke included a very personal attack on Mr Moon, apparently for buying US fighter jets and drone technology.

Pyongyang said: “He often calls for peace. Then is he going to make an excuse that the drones and fighters purchased from the US are just for spreading agrochemicals and for circus fights?”

A journalist with NK News translated another excerpt from the statement as: “He c---s himself even when there’s just a sporting gunshot from the North.”

The colourful put-down came just one day after Mr Moon had used a speech to mark the 74th anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japan in 1945 to call for the rekindling of peace talks with Pyongyang. His unification ministry expressed “deep regret” over the North’s attack on Mr Moon and urged a spirit of mutual respect.