Ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to Mexico laments expelling

Kim Hyong Gil

, ambassador of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to Mexico , read a message in a conference lamenting his expelling from Mexican territory, decreed by President Enrique Peña Nieto on Thursday afternoon.

Kim Hyong Gil emphasized that international pressure on North Korea would not stop the nation's missile and nuclear weapons program .

"We have succeeded in nuclear weapon development amid the cruelest sanctions in the world, therefore, we have nothing to fear. We will firmly continue strengthening nuclear weapons as far as the United States abandon completely the hostile policy against the Democratic People's Republic of Korea," the diplomat said.

The North Korean ambassador branded the move as “ ignorant ” and said disagreement over the country’s nuclear program was an issue for the United States and “has nothing to do with Mexico.”

“That is why I express great displeasure at the bilateral diplomatic measures taken by the Mexican government that claims to have a sovereign foreign policy. That (claim) is without basis,” he told reporters outside the North Korean embassy in Mexico City.

Jong Chol Nan

, a Counselor at the North Korean embassy, confirmed that Hyong Gil will leave Mexico on Sunday and that he will stay in his place to handle bilateral issues.

Mexico's government expelled the Ambassador of North Korea in response to Pyongyang 's latest nuclear test. President Enrique Peña Nieto instructed full compliance of UN security resolutions and declared Kim Hyong Gil “ persona non grata ” a measure not taken since 2004 when former president Vicente Fox declared Cuban Ambassador Jorge Bolaños “persona non grata” as well.

On Friday Mexico’s Foreign Minister , Luis Videgaray , stressed that Mexico was not breaking diplomatic ties with North Korea, but that the country “wanted to send a clear message of absolute rejection” of the recent tests.

sg