Wonsan: North Korea on Friday denounced Britain for including a North Korean children's camp in its new sanctions list over suspected involvement in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children, calling it a "heinous politically-motivated provocation."

According to Yonhap News Agency, a spokesperson at North Korea's foreign ministry criticized Britain for sanctioning the Songdowon International Children's Camp, allegedly due to its suspected ties with Russia. The statement, distributed by the North Korean Central News Agency, accused Britain of attempting to damage the external image of North Korea and undermine the relations between North Korea and Russia by making unfounded connections between the camp and the alleged "forcible migration" of Ukrainian children.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), North Korea's official name, described the sanctions as "an intolerable insult" and stated that Britain's actions display an escalating hostility towards North Korea. The spokesperson emphasized that Britain's measures were unjust and politically driven.

Earlier in the week, the British government expanded its sanctions package, including Russian individuals and entities, on suspicions of involvement in Russian-led forced deportations and indoctrination of Ukrainian youth. The Songdowon International Children's Camp, established in 1960 in the coastal city of Wonsan, has historically been used to spread propaganda and encourage regime loyalty among young attendees.

In December, a Ukrainian online newspaper reported, referencing a legal expert, that at least two Ukrainian children were allegedly abducted by Russian forces in Ukraine and forcibly transferred to the camp in North Korea.