The US has claimed for decades that their only interest in the Korean Peninsula has been the promotion of peace. The country has been divided for almost 70 years as a result of US intervention in their affairs. Since that time we have seen nothing but threats of invasion and nuclear strikes against the people of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). Countless sanctions have been placed against the country causing widespread devastation against the population. The actions of the US have demonstrated quite the opposite.

Right now both the North and the South have engaged in the greatest acts of unification that have ever been seen. As the 2018 Winter Olympics approach, the countries have agreed to march together through the stadium under the unification flag. The countries will share their athletes in a joint training program before the games.

In addition to this, the DPRK will be sending a 400 member delegation to the games which include Kim Jong Un’s sister, who is expected to have lunch with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. This marks the first time a member of the Kim family has visited the South since the Korean War. Great overtures of peace and co-operation are being made on both sides of the Demilitarized Zone. As expected, the US simply will not stand for it.

US Vice-President Mike Pence (who will be leading the US Olympic delegation) has made it clear that they will not tolerate any message of unification and peace between the two countries. He said, “We will not allow North Korean propaganda to hijack the message and imagery of the Olympic Games.” What propaganda does he speak of? Promoting peace with its Southern neighbour? Isn’t the point of the Olympic Games to promote peaceful co-operation and peace? So how is the DPRK violating this spirit by promoting peaceful relations with the South? They’re not.

Following this up the US has declared that they intend to place new tougher sanctions against the country. “I‘m announcing today the United States of America will soon unveil the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever,” Pence said after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

It is clear from the actions of the US that they are not interested in peace. They are attempting to sabotage efforts of peace between the countries. It is only the destruction of the DPRK the US wants. They have remained a solid opposer of US imperialism for decades. They have been willing to bear terrible hardships in order to maintain their independence. The US cannot stand that the DPRK will not allow them access to the estimated $6 trillion in rare earth minerals contained within their mountains. US capital is itching to exploit cheap labour and resources. The DPRK maintains that such resources should be used for the benefit of its people, not imperialist profit.

The US can be seen as nothing less than a pack of liars for their claimed desire for peace on the Korean Peninsula. They very clearly are interested in hostility and destruction.