Kim Jung Un is again saber-rattling, threatening to launch a nuclear strike on US-South Korean joint exercises.
Advertisement
North Korea threatened pre-emptive and “indiscriminate” nuclear strikes against South Korea and the United States on Monday, as the two allies kicked off their annual, large-scale military exercises.
In a statement issued hours before the drills began, North Korea’s powerful National Defence Commission said it was prepared for an “all-out” military counter-offensive.
On Monday, the USA and South Korea began major joint military drills meant to ensure readiness for any North Korean military attack through a combination of battlefield and computer-simulated exercises.
“Key Resolve, slated for March 7-18, highlights the longstanding and enduring partnership and friendship between the two nations and their combined commitment to the defense of the ROK and regional stability”, according to a United States Forces Korea (USFK) press release.
Always ragged relations between North Korea and its rivals have worsened after Pyongyang’s nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket test last month. “We closely monitor the situation there”. North Korea threatened a “preemptive nuclear strike of justice” in retaliation for the joint training exercises.
The drills – named Key Resolve and Foal Eagle – will bring together 300,000 South Korean troops with around 17,000 USA counterparts between now and the end of April.
Hong said the resolution aims to curb North Korea’s nuclear and missile plan without affecting people’s livelihoods and humanitarian needs.
South Korea unveiled a slew of its own punitive measures against Pyongyang Tuesday, including blacklisting scores of North Koreans and entities suspected to be linked the North’s weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Analysts doubt whether North Korea has the capability to attach its nuclear weapons to a missile, and firing one would be suicidal for North Korea, whose conventional military still uses Soviet-era equipment.
North Korea is not considered a top global cyber power, but it has aggressively ramped up its digital arsenal in recent years.
However, they also said North Korea’s reaction was unacceptable.
North Korea denied the accusation.
“North Korea must stop its rash and reckless behaviour”, a National Defence Ministry spokesman, Mr Moon Sang-gyun, said, adding that the ministry had seen no sign of any unusual military activity by the North.
Advertisement
“China is linked to the Korean Peninsula”.
