AP — SEOUL, South Korea State media reported on Thursday that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned that he is prepared to use nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the US and South Korea. He also unleashed a barrage of venomous rhetoric against rivals he claims are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the verge of war.
On the 69th anniversary of the conclusion of the 1950–1953 Korean War, Kim Jong Un addressed military veterans in an apparent effort to strengthen internal cohesion in the economically struggling nation. Even while Kim has been threatening his adversaries with nuclear weapons more frequently, many say it’s improbable that he would use them first against the stronger forces of the United States and its allies.
“Our armed forces are completely prepared to respond to any crisis, and our country’s nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilize its absolute power dutifully, exactly and swiftly in accordance with its mission,” Kim Jong Un said in Wednesday’s speech, according to the official Korean Central News Agency
He claimed that the US was “demonising” North Korea to further its hostile foreign policy. Kim Jong Un claimed that routine military exercises between the United States and South Korea, which he claimed were directed at the North, highlight the U.S.’s “double standards” and “gangster-like” characteristics because they portray North Korea’s regular military activities—obviously a reference to its missile tests—as provocations or threats.
Additionally, Yoon Suk Yeol’s new South Korean administration, according to Kim Jong Un, is run by “gangsters” and “confrontation maniacs” who have gone beyond past conservative South Korean governments. The Yoon administration has worked to fortify Seoul’s military ties with the United States since taking office in May. It has also improved its own ability to counter North Korean nuclear threats, including the ability to launch a preemptive strike.
Talking about military action against our country, which has the weapons that they dread the most, is absurd and extremely risky; Kim Jong Un called it suicidal. The Yoon Suk Yeol government and his military will be completely destroyed if such a risky effort is made, according to our mighty strength.
South Korea expressed “deep sadness” over Kim’s threat and stated that it remains ready to respond “powerfully, effectively” to any provocation by North Korea.
Yoon’s presidential national security office stated in a statement delivered by spokesperson Kang In-sun that South Korea will protect its national security and the safety of its citizens based on a strong relationship with the United States. It urged North Korea to resume negotiations in order to move closer to disarmament.
The Defense Ministry of South Korea reiterated earlier on Thursday that it has been increasing its military capabilities and joint defence posture with the United States to counter the growing nuclear threats from North Korea.
Kim Jong Un declared in April that North Korea may use nuclear weapons as a first line of defence if necessary and that they would “never be constrained to the exclusive task of war deterrent.” Additionally, Kim Jong Un military has conducted test launches of nuclear-armed missiles that are capable of hitting both South Korea and the U.S. mainland. Officials from the United States and South Korea have stated time and time again in recent months that North Korea is prepared to carry out its first nuclear test in five years.
As his nation’s economy has been severely harmed by pandemic-related border closures, American-led sanctions, and his own poor management, Kim Jong Un is attempting to win over a larger portion of the populace. The first COVID-19 epidemic in North Korea was also acknowledged there in May, albeit the severity of the illness and number of fatalities are debatable in a nation without access to modern medical resources.
Professor Leif-Eric Easley at Seoul’s Ewha University claimed that Kim’s rhetoric “inflates foreign dangers to legitimise his military focused and economically suffering dictatorship.” Although North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes are illegal under international law, Kim attempts to pass off his unstable armaments buildup as a noble act of self-defense.
As the allies get ready to extend their summertime drills, experts predict that North Korea will escalate its threats against the U.S. and South Korea. Due to concerns about COVID-19 and to support the now-stalled U.S.-led diplomacy aimed at persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear programme in exchange for economic and political benefits, the South Korean and American militaries have recently cancelled or scaled back some of their routine exercises.
In his speech on Wednesday, Kim Jong Un implied that he intends to carry out the anticipated nuclear test by saying that his leadership recently assigned responsibilities to increase its military capability more quickly to respond to military pressure campaigns by its foes.
The private Sejong Institute in South Korea’s Cheong Seong-Chang, however, asserted that North Korea is unlikely to carry out its nuclear test before China, the country’s principal ally and largest source of aid, has its Communist Party conference in the autumn. According to Kim Jong Un, China is concerned that a nuclear test by North Korea may give the US cause to strengthen security ties with its allies, which it could then use to restrain Chinese influence in the region.
Despite declining fever cases, North Korea recently claimed that it was making progress in combating the COVID-19 outbreak. However, experts say it’s not clear whether the country will be able to lift its strict quarantines anytime soon because it may experience a viral resurgence later this year. Photos from state media during the event on Wednesday showed that Kim, veterans, and others did not wear masks. In comparison to the peak of almost 400,000 instances per day in May, North Korea reported only 11 cases of fever on Thursday.
U.S. and South Korean proposals for medical supplies have been rebuffed by North Korea. As a possible allusion to U.S.-led sanctions and military exercises between the United States and South Korea, it has also stated that it will not resume negotiations with the United States until the latter ends its hostile policies toward the North.
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