16 September 2023 , 15:12
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King Charles has landed himself significant criticism after reportedly sending Kim Jong-un a friendly message - which was slammed as a “huge mistake”.
A North Korean news report revealed the monarch had sent the message, which allegedly read: “As the people of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea celebrate their National Day, I send my good wishes for the future.” Human Rights campaigners have argued this was the wrong move from the King after the message was sent on September 9. Greg Scarlatoiu, executive director of the Committee for Human Rights in North Korea (HRNK) - which documents rights violations by the Kim regime - called it a “huge mistake”.
Although Mr Scarlatoiu said he understands the “diplomatic rationale behind this message”, he added that “the Kim regime commits crimes against humanity and other egregious human rights violations”. He concluded: “If indeed legitimate, this message is a huge mistake. It congratulates the Kim regime on the day of the founding of North Korea, September 9. That is a day that will live in infamy. The end result of that was the invasion of South Korea by the North. UK servicemen fought valiantly and made great sacrifices in order to defend South Korea. How about remembering their wonderful legacy?”
The North Korean news channel shared the message sent by the King (Credit: Pen News)It is believed that the monarch sends these messages on the advice of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) - who said that this practise had been followed by the late Queen, and the King had adopted it.
It is not entirely rare for the King to feature in North Korean media, after they released commemorative stamps of the monarch next to Diana, Princess of Wales. Jee-Young Park, a Korean Studies Librarian at the University of Chicago, said in 2020 that it was a way for the regime to raise foreign currency.
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She said: “I read that many of the stamps are for exporting to other countries in order to receive foreign income. That is why the North Korean postal service department produces many different subject stamps. It seems that many North Koreans also enjoy collecting the stamps.”
September 9 in North Korea is known as the Day of the Foundation of the Republic. This year, Kim Jong-un threw a parade in Pyongyang with rocket launchers pulled by trucks. More recently, the North Korean dictator has met Vladimir Putin as he wages a war against Ukraine.
The Mirror contacted Buckingham Palace and the FCDO for comment.