North Korean media urged South Koreans to turn toward anti-American sentiment and repel U.S. troops from South Korea, and mentioned the 2002 deaths of two schoolgirls crushed by a U.S. military vehicle.
The Yangju highway incident in South Korea, which happened 14 years ago today, was a tragic accident in which a U.S. military vehicle hit and crushed two Shim Mi-son and Shin Hyo-sun, both 14, while they walked beside a narrow country road on their way to a birthday party.
“Fourteen years ago today, two South Korean schoolgirls at the age of 14 were struck and killed by devilish homicidal American imperialists’ Caterpillar truck,” wrote state newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Monday, calling the incident “only one of many incidents in which American invaders have crushed the dignity and sovereignty of South Koreans.”
Pyongyang’s other publications also described the incident, and urged South Koreans to repel U.S. forces from the Korean Peninsula.
“This evilest deed of all evil deeds is only capable of being carried out by the soldiers of an evil empire, which was built on the skulls and blood of Native Americans …” wrote state medial portal Uriminzokkiri.
“For South Koreans to get away from all kinds of unhappiness and disgraces in the shortest time possible, they must repel the American invaders back to their dens located on the other side of the ocean,” DPRK Today wrote, quoting the Rodong Sinmun.
The Yangju highway incident that North Korean media described – more commonly known as “Hyo-sun and Mi-son’s case” in South Korea – was a major incident in the early 2000s sparking anti-American sentiment.
Because of the U.S. and South Korea’s Status of Forces Agreement, both the driver and the commander of the vehicle that struck the girls were tried via U.S. military court, despite efforts by the South Korean Justice Ministry to have them tried in Korean courts.
When the two servicemen were acquitted, it sparked some of the most intense anti-American protests South Korea has witnessed.
Pyongyang has exploited the incident for more than decade, pointing to the “evilness” of American troops stationed in South Korea.
In 2003 Pyongyang even handed out “graduation certifications” for the two girls, listing them as honorary students of Pyongyang’s Moranbong Secondary School No. 1, the Yonhap News Agency reported.
“This incident was a tragic accident which unfortunately – as any such incident will do – put a strain on the relationship between the U.S. military and South Korea and brought to the fore sentiments against the U.S. military in South Korea,” NK News director of intelligence John Grisafi said.
“As is typically the case, North Korea has sought repeatedly to use this to their advantage, as the withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Korean Peninsula is a key element of their rhetoric and propaganda directed at South Korea.”
South Koreans also held a memorial ceremony at the site of incident, with around 50 members of South Korean civilian organizations participating, KBS reported.
Featured image: DPRK Today
North Korean media urged South Koreans to turn toward anti-American sentiment and repel U.S. troops from South Korea, and mentioned the 2002 deaths of two schoolgirls crushed by a U.S. military vehicle.
The Yangju highway incident in South Korea, which happened 14 years ago today, was a tragic accident in which a U.S. military vehicle hit and crushed two Shim Mi-son and Shin Hyo-sun, both 14, while they walked beside a narrow country road on their way to a birthday party.
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