Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, July 28: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned that he is prepared to use nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the US and South Korea, Korean media reported on Thursday.
He also unleashed a barrage of fiery rhetoric against rivals he claims are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the verge of war.
Kim’s speech to veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of the 1950–1953 Korean War appeared to be an effort to strengthen internal cohesion in the economically struggling, impoverished nation. As the partners prepare to extend summertime drills that the North regards as an invasion rehearsal, North Korea will likely increase its threats against the United States and South Korea, according to some observers.
According to the official Korean Central News Agency, Kim in his Wednesday speech said, “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.”
He claimed that the US was using the demonization of North Korea to support its aggressive foreign policy. He claimed that joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea expose the American government’s hypocrisy and gangster tendencies by characterising North Korea’s normal military actions—which appear to be a reference to its missile tests—as provocations or threats.
Yoon Suk Yeol, the next president of South Korea, was also referred to by Kim as a confrontation maniac who had gone further than previous presidents and as being run by criminals. The Yoon administration has worked to fortify Seoul’s military ties with the United States since taking office in May. It has also improved Seoul’s ability to counter North Korean nuclear threats, including the ability to launch a preemptive strike.
“Talking about military action against our nation, which possess absolute weapons that they fear the most, is preposterous and is very dangerous suicidal action. Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our powerful strength and the Yoon Suk Yeol government and his military will be annihilated,” Kim said.
