North Korea fires editorial salvo at Japan

PYONGYANG, North Korea, March 23 (UPI) -- North Korea's official newspaper turned its wrath on Japan Saturday, accusing Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of trying to pick a fight.

The Rodong Sinmun said Abe was a leader in an international conspiracy against North Korea and warned Japan could find itself in Pyongang's crosshairs.

"If there is war, Japan will not remain unscathed," said the newspaper, which South Korea's Yonhap news agency described as the house organ of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea.

The harsh words were apparently in response to Abe's recent statement that North Korea's dictatorship was on the road to collapse.