N. Korea raps US questionnaires on communist links for UN aid groups as new version of McCarthyism

North Korea denounced the United States on Friday for sending questionnaires to U.N. aid agencies to ask whether they have any links to communism or an anti-U.S. stance, calling the move "the 21st century version of McCarthyism."

The U.S. Office of Management and Budget sent 36 questions to international organizations, including the U.N.'s refugee agency and the International Committee of the Red Cross, to ask them to state whether they have "anti-American" beliefs or affiliation, according to British broadcaster BBC.

The move came as the Trump administration is seeking to slash foreign aid as part of its push to cut the size of the federal government.

Jo Chol-su, North Korea's ambassador to its mission at the United Nations office in Geneva, condemned the U.S. for using international organizations as a tool for implementing its strategy for hegemony, according to the Korean Central News Agency.

"The U.S. is trying to subordinate the international organizations as the body executing "America first" policy which moves according to its baton and serves its interests," Jo said, calling the questionnaires an "open threatening letter."

He said the Trump administration deserves to be condemned as it is forcing the international community to follow the "America first" policy, which will herald the emergence of the 21st century version of "McCarthyism," the KCNA said. (Yonhap)