North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he was ready to use his nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, state media said on Thursday, as he made fiery rhetoric against rivals, They say that the Koreans are pushing the peninsula to the brink of war.
Kim’s speech to war veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950-53 Korean War was apparently meant to promote internal unity in the poor country amid economic hardships related to the pandemic. Observers say that while Kim has threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, it is unlikely that he would use them first against the superior forces of the US and its allies.
Kim said in Wednesday’s speech, “Our armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any crisis, and our nation’s nuclear war deterrent will also be able to mobilize its full force dutifully, absolutely and swiftly in accordance with its mission.” are ready.” Central News Agency.
He accused the United States of “demonising” North Korea to justify its hostile policies. Kim said regular US-South Korea military exercises claimed they exposed the North to “double standards” and “gangster-like” aspects of the US as it brands North Korea’s routine military activities – its An explicit reference to missile tests – as provocations or threats.
Kim also alleged that the new South Korean government of President Yoon Suk Yeol is being led by “confrontation maniacs” and “gangsters” who have overtaken previous South Korean conservative governments. Since taking office in May, the Yoon government has moved to strengthen Seoul’s military alliance with the United States and strengthen its ability to neutralize North Korean nuclear threats, including a preemptive strike capability.
“Talking about military action against our country, which has the full weapons they fear most, is absurd and very dangerous suicide,” Kim said. “Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our mighty force and the Eun Suk Yeol government and its army will be wiped out.”
South Korea expressed “deep regret” over Kim’s threat and said it was prepared to deal with any provocation by North Korea “in a powerful, effective manner”.
In a statement read by spokesman Kang In-sun, the National Security Office of Yun’s president said that South Korea will protect its national security and the security of civilians based on a solid alliance with the United States. It urged North Korea to return to talks to take steps toward denuclearization.
Earlier on Thursday, South Korea’s Defense Ministry reiterated its earlier position that it was enhancing its military capability and joint defense posture with the United States to deal with North Korean nuclear threats.
In April, Kim said that North Korea could use nuclear weapons if threatened, adding that they would “not be limited to a single mission of deterrence.” Kim’s military has also tested nuclear-capable missiles that keep both the US mainland and South Korea within striking distance. US and South Korean officials have said repeatedly over the past few months that North Korea is ready to conduct its first nuclear test in five years.
Kim is seeking greater public support as his country’s economy has been hit by pandemic-related border closures, US-led sanctions and his own mismanagement. In May, North Korea also admitted its first Covid-19 outbreak, although the scale of illness and death is widely disputed in a country that lacks modern medical capacity to handle it.
“Kim’s rhetoric amplifies external threats to justify his military-focused and economically struggling regime,” said Professor Leif-Erik Easley from Iwa University in Seoul. “North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs are in violation of international law, but Kim tries to portray its unstable weapons creation as a noble attempt in self-defense.”
Experts say North Korea will likely intensify its threats against the US and South Korea as allies prepare to expand summer exercises. In recent years, South Korean and US forces have canceled or curtailed some of their regular exercises due to concerns about COVID-19 and in return for the purpose of convincing North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. led diplomacy. economic and political benefits.
During Wednesday’s speech, Kim said his government had recently set the task to improve its military capability to respond to military pressure campaigns by its enemies, suggesting that it would consider an expected nuclear test. intends to proceed with
But Cheong Seong-chang at the private Sejong Institute in South Korea said North Korea would not conduct its nuclear test before China, its major ally and biggest aid donor, holds a Communist Party convention in the autumn. He said China has concerns that the North Korean nuclear test could justify the United States boosting its security partnership with its allies that it could use to check Chinese influence in the region.
North Korea recently said it was moving to address the outbreak of COVID-19 amid fever cases, but experts say it’s not clear if the country can lift its tough restrictions any time soon. Because it could face a viral resurgence later this year. During Wednesday’s event, Kim, veterans and others were not wearing masks, state media photos showed. On Thursday, North Korea reported 11 fever cases, a steep drop from a peak of nearly 400,000 a day in May.
North Korea has rejected US and South Korean offers for medical relief materials. It has also said that it will not return to talks with the United States unless it abandons its hostile policies on the North in the clear context of US-led sanctions and US-South Korean military exercises.
