N. Korea condemns Israeli assault on Gaza as 'barbaric'

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Tuesday blasted Israel's continuing air raids on Gaza as "barbaric" and called for immediate suspension of the deadly attacks.

"Israel mobilized more than 60 fighters and gunship to launch barbaric air raids
on Gaza Strip of Palestine," a foreign ministry spokesman was quoted as saying by
the North's Korean Central News Agency, reported in English.
"The DPRK resolutely denounces Israel's killing of unarmed civilians as a crime
against humanity, a serious provocation against the Palestinians and other Arab
people and an open challenge to the Mid-east peace process," the unnamed
spokesman said. DPRK stands for North Korea's official name, the Democratic
People's Republic of Korea.
The Israeli assaults on Gaza continued for the fourth day, leaving nearly 350
Palestinians dead and 1,400 wounded, according to news reports.
The spokesman said, "Israel should immediately stop all military actions and
positively respond to the demand of the Arab and other peoples of the world for
the comprehensive and fair solution to the Mid-east issue."
North Korea has been traditionally sympathetic to the Middle East. It openly
welcomed the recent shoe attack against U.S. President George W. Bush by an Iraqi
journalist, scornfully comparing Bush to "a cock soaked in the rain." The phrase
refers to a person of high status who suddenly falls into disgrace.
hkim@yna.co.kr
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