File photo: North Korean Kim Jong-un
North Korea's Chairman Kim Jong-un criticized global sanctions against his country Friday, dampening optimistic remarks from US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.
After being asked by President Donald Trump for a Pyongyang update, Washington's top ambassador told a Cabinet meeting Thursday that he was hoping to "make a big step here before too long."
But the North continues to pressure the U.S. over key sticking points that seemingly stand in the way of Pyongyang's denuclearization -- including Washington's insistence on maintaining sanctions until the regime verifiably abandons its nukes.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday expressed solidarity with Turkey during a phone call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.According to Turkish presidential sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said Erdogan and Abbas had a phone call Thursday evening.The leaders also discussed current issues, the sources added.US cannot see who its true friend is: Turkish FMAlbayrak says Turkey will come out of volatility strongerIraqi cleric urges support for Turkey amid row with USMacron tells Erdoğan Turkey's economic stability important for France
'Palestine stands with Turkey'
While inspecting the construction of a coastal resort, Kim reportedly described the situation as "a do-or-die struggle"."
Such a huge and grand creation campaign as the construction of the Wonsan-Kalma coastal tourist area is an acute standoff with hostile forces trying to stifle the Korean people through brigandish sanctions and blockade," Kim was quoted as saying by North Korea's state-run KCNA news agency.
"Turkey totally eliminated the environment that led to speculation on Turkish lira," Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalın said Thursday."Channels of currency speculation and perception operations on Turkish lira have been shut down," Kalın said after a Cabinet meeting at the presidential complex in capital Ankara.Kalın said Turkey sees "speedy recovery process" in economy after measures taken over the last two days."Turkey does not favor tension with anyone and it does not pursue an economic war with anyone," he added.The spokesman added Ankara will diversify "alternatives" and "options" in trade, energy and investment.Kalın said Germany, France, Russia, Qatar and Kuwait and others expressed solidarity with Turkey."Especially the leaders of two important European countries [Germany and France] stated that having a strong Turkish economy and preserving economic stability [in Turkey] are not only vital for Turkey, but also for the world economy," he added.'Palestine stands with Turkey'US cannot see who its true friend is: Turkish FMTurkey doesn't want economic war with US, but wont stay silent: presidential aideTurkish Embassy thanks Lebanese for lira supportTurkey limits installment plans for credit cards, loans
Channels of currency speculation shut down: Presidential aide
Meanwhile, the North's official Rodong Sinmun carried a commentary Friday saying that the U.S. should agree to declare a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War "to pave the ground for detente and permanent peace".
The newspaper insisted that Washington "should implement phased and simultaneous measures, like the end-of-war declaration, to build mutual trust."
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Thursday reiterated his criticism of U.S.'s current political stance against Turkey."The U.S. does not know, it cannot see who its true friend is,” Çavuşoğlu told reporters during his closing speech at the 10th Ambassadors' Conference in the capital Ankara."We will never be happy with having issues with the U.S. We can easily solve problems with the U.S. but not with its current mindset," he said.Cavusoglu’s remarks came after U.S. President Donald Trump said Turkey "has not proven to be a good friend" during a Cabinet meeting Thursday."Turkey has not done any wrong to the U.S., not even once. When anyone faces any charges, regardless of the person’s citizenship, that person will have to go through the judicial process," he said.Albayrak says Turkey will come out of volatility stronger"We are not making a cowboy film. We are two great countries that need have good relations but we will learn to respect each other," Çavuşoğlu added.On Aug. 1 relations between Ankara and Washington nosedived when the U.S. imposed sanctions on two Turkish Cabinet ministers after Turkey refused to release an American pastor who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.Iraqi cleric urges support for Turkey amid row with USLast week, Trump ramped up his attack on Ankara by doubling tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.In response, Turkey raised tariffs on several U.S.-made goods, including alcohol and tobacco products and vehicles.Macron tells Erdoğan Turkey's economic stability important for FranceÇavuşoğlu also said that he will attend the informal meeting of EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs, also known as Gymnich, on Aug. 30 in Vienna.He added Turkey wants to develop relations with the EU, and that the country is "a part of the family".
US cannot see who its true friend is: Turkish FM
However, the U.S. has repeatedly stated that Pyongyang must first denuclearize before they can officially enter a state of peace. At the risk of further upsetting Washington, Kim's number two Choe Ryong-hae is currently visiting Cuba, according to the country's Prensa Latina news agency.
Choe's trip there comes just days after Ri Yong-ho, North Korea's foriegn minister, said he was building ties in Iran, another country the U.S. has difficult relations with.