Kim Yo Jong, the North Korean leader’s powerful sister, delivered a vituperative speech at an event celebrating the country’s “victory” over COVID-19 this week, an address noteworthy not only for its profane language but also for its violent threats against South Korea.

Taking what one expert described as the role of a “bad cop,” Kim warned that the DPRK will “exterminate” South Korea’s leaders for their “crimes against humanity” if they continue to spread COVID-19 into the country through anti-regime leaflets, an unfounded claim that North Korean state media first made in July.[/p