A group of analysts from Johns Hopkins University, called 38 North, yesterday warned that recent commercial satellite imagery showed new activity at the North’s satellite launch station, suggesting preparations for an impending rocket-engine test. It did not mention the date of the drills but said the new weapons had South Korea within range.
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In North Korea’s first official response to the U.N.’s recent adoption of harsh sanctions over its recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch, the North also warned Friday it will bolster its nuclear arsenal and make unspecified “strong and merciless physical” measures.
Tensions are expected to rise in the coming days, with the United States and South Korea scheduled to kick off their largest-ever joint annual war games on Monday.
Park claimed North Korea retains its power through the use of missiles and promised to set the people free from the “reckless nuclear program”, by supporting measures from other leaders. A U.S. defence official told Agence France-Presse that “our forces are ready to counter-eliminate strikes if necessary”.
“This time, we must make North Korea realise that its regime can not survive without giving up its nuclear weapons”, she said in a speech at a commissioning ceremony for military officers, adding that she would work to “end tyranny” by its leader.
While the North is known to have a small stockpile of nuclear warheads, experts are divided about its ability to mount them on a working missile delivery system.
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“The kind of comments and provocative actions that we’ve seen out of Pyongyang in the last 36 hours or so are not new”, White House press secretary Josh Earnest said at a regular briefing, referring to the North’s testing of the new rocket system and Kim’s nuclear threats.
