Several factors contribute to the animosity between North Korea and the United States:
1. Historical grievances: North Korea holds a deep resentment towards the United States due to events during and after the Korean War (1950-1953). North Korea views the United States as having intervened in their internal affairs and supporting the South Korean side during the conflict. They perceive this as an act of aggression and foreign interference.
2. U.S. sanctions and international pressure: North Korea feels economically and politically pressured by the United States. The U.S. has imposed various economic sanctions and international restrictions on North Korea in an effort to curb its nuclear and missile development programs. North Korean propaganda portrays these sanctions as an attempt by the United States to undermine North Korea's sovereignty and economic development.
3. Rhetoric from both sides: The leaders of North Korea and the United States have frequently engaged in heated exchanges of words, with harsh criticisms and personal insults. This escalating rhetoric has exacerbated tensions between the two countries.
4. Mutual distrust: There is a significant level of distrust between the governments of North Korea and the United States. Both sides accuse each other of engaging in hostile acts and making false accusations. This distrust makes it difficult to find common ground and resolve disputes through diplomacy.
5. Support for South Korea: The United States has maintained a strong alliance with South Korea and provides security guarantees to the South Korean government. This alliance is viewed as a threat to North Korea's security and as interference in the Korean peninsula.
It's important to note that the vast majority of North Korean citizens do not have direct contact with Americans and may have limited access to accurate information about the United States and its policies. The views and sentiments expressed by the North Korean government towards Americans are shaped by official propaganda and ideological narratives rather than personal experiences or interactions with individual Americans.