North Korea has claimed that it has developed an advanced hydrogen bomb said to have 'great destructive power'. Source: Fox News
YouTube has cut off access to a state-run North Korean propaganda channel, as the US seeks to impose tougher sanctions following Pyongyang's recent nuclear and missile tests.
The shutdown of Uriminzokkiri, which regularly posted video footage boasting of the North's nuclear and missile programs and others praising the North's leader Kim Jong-un, was confirmed overnight.
"This account has been terminated for violating YouTube's community guidelines", said the video sharing website.
YouTube gives no details on reasons why particular accounts are closed down, or for how long. But advertising revenue generated by the accounts could violate US trade sanctions.
Academics use official footage from the channels of missile launches and visits to factories by Kim to gain rare insights into the progress of the country's weapons programs.
"Tracking and digitally reconstructing events is going to be more difficult as these accounts get deleted," Scott Lafoy, a Washington-based satellite imagery analyst, told NK News.
The channel serves various propaganda purposes for North Korea. Last month, Uriminzokkiri published a video featuring the two sons of James Joseph Dresnok, in which they said their father - the only US soldier known still to be living in North Korea after defecting more than five decades ago - had died last year pledging loyalty to the "great leader Kim Jong-un".
In July, it hosted a video featuring Lim Ji-Hyun, a female defector in her 20s who arrived in Seoul in 2014 and soon became a public figure, before apparently returning to the North from the "hell" of the capitalist South.
South Korean conservative activists and North Korean defectors hold signs against North Korea and Kim Jong Un in Seoul. Photo: AP/Lee Jin-man
Uriminzokkiri's social media accounts remained active over the weekend. North Korea conducted its sixth nuclear test a week ago, saying it was a hydrogen bomb that could be fitted onto a missile - prompting global condemnation and calls for further sanctions.
In July, it tested two intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that appeared to bring much of the mainland US into range.
The US has formally requested a UN Security Council vote on Monday on tough new sanctions against North Korea despite resistance from China and Russia.
It is not the first time that YouTube has targeted North Korean propaganda. In November 2016, the video sharing platform closed down state-owned Korean Central TV1. Several other channels including Chosun TV, NK Propaganda and KCTV Stream were also cut off, according to NK News.
CALLS FOR A NUCLEAR ARMS BUILD-UP AMID SANCTIONS
It comes as the country's state media has marked the nation's founding anniversary with calls for a nuclear arms build-up, in defiance of mounting international sanctions.
South Korea's military said it was keeping close tabs on the North amid speculation it could stage a missile launch or another nuclear test to mark the 1948 establishment of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
But a South Korean defence ministry spokesman has said there is as yet no signs of the North preparing a missile launch or a nuclear test for today.
"The military is maintaining its utmost defence posture, keeping a close watch over the North. But there is nothing out of the ordinary," he told AFP.
The mouthpiece of the North's ruling party called for more "miracle-like events" such as the two ICBM tests to deter the United States which it said was bent on "decapitating" the nation's leader Kim Jong-un.
"The defence sector, in step with the party's Byungjin policy (of developing the economy and nuclear weapons at the same time) must make cutting-edge Juche weapons in greater quantities," the Rodong Sinmun said in an editorial, referring to the national philosophy of "Juche" or self-reliance.
"No matter how the US and its puppets kick up a ruckus, our republic, which has a strong military and the most powerful Juche bombs and weapons, and whose territory has all turned into fortresses, and all its people armed to the teeth, will remain an eternal iron-clad citadel," it said.
NORTH KOREA SAYS US WILL 'PAY DEARLY' FOR WAR COMMENTS
Meanwhile, North Korea has said the United States will "pay dearly" after its United Nations Ambassador said it was "begging for war."
A commentary by the state-run Korean Central News Agency on Friday described UN Ambassador Nikki Haley's comments as a "hysteric fit".
"The US administration will have to pay a dear price for her tongue-lashing," KCNA said.
US President Donald Trump's administration is pushing the UN Security Council to ban oil sales to North Korea.
They are hoping this will put extra pressure on leader Kim Jong-un.
