USA administration officials announced last week that the leader of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Kim Jon Un, is the ultimately responsible for North Korea’s notorious abuses of human rights.
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South Korea is set to announce a site Wednesday for an advanced US missile defense system that it says is created to cope with North Korean threats. However, it was unclear if this was over THAAD or in response to Washington naming North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as an individual to be targeted by new sanctions.
North Korea has warned it will take “physical actions” after South Korea and the United States agreed to deploy the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) missile defence system to cope with the nuclear threat from Pyongyang.
“The U.S. recently impaired the dignity of the supreme leadership of the DPRK by releasing what they call “report on human rights” and “list of targets of special sanctions” related to the DPRK”, the outlet stated, calling the sanctions “the most disgusting criminal act and a declaration of war against the DPRK”.
According to officials within North Korea, the isolated nation will be taking “practical actions” against the U.S.in response to the United State’s refusal to withdraw the recent sanctions against Kim.
Seoul denounced the “ridiculous threats” by the North, which had staged serious provocations including a nuclear test in January and a long-range rocket launch in February.
Speculation that THAAD would likely be located in this region had already sparked protests from groups concerned that the military installation may put their communities in danger.
South Korea has reiterated that THAAD is purely defensive in nature and will exclusively be used against North Korea’s nuclear and missile threats. “It is the unwavering will of our army to deal a ruthless retaliatory strike and turn [the South] into a sea of fire and a pile of ashes the moment we have an order to carry it out”.
Yoo acknowledged that the Seongju location would not give it the reach to protect Seoul but said the military plans to increase the deployment of its own Patriot missile interceptors in the capital area, Yonhap reported.
North Korean leader Kim Jong un has threatened the U.S. after it agreed an advanced missile system to combat his nuclear capabilities.
“We hope the people and residents in Seongju.render support” for the decision, the ministry said in a statement.
The move comes following strong objections from China and Russian Federation accusing Washington of flexing military muscle in the region.
The next morning, North Korea fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile, apparently targeting Seoul, the launch was said to have failed in the early stage of flight. Russian Federation also opposes the deployment.
South Korea’s defence ministry on Wednesday said it will deploy THAAD – the USA missile defence system – to its southeastern region despite continued opposition from neighbouring countries.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday that THAAD exceeded the Korean peninsula’s security needs and suggested there was a “conspiracy behind this move”. Seoul’s Defense Ministry would not comment, saying a formal announcement will be made Wednesday afternoon.
It will be used “to protect alliance military forces”, Seoul and Washington said on Friday.
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Furthermore, the North Korea government said it would handle all matters with the United States – including the treatment of American prisoners – under the precepts of wartime law.
