North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country has a policy of not hesitating to launch a nuclear strike on a rival if provoked, state media reported on Thursday. He made these remarks as he met with soldiers under the military’s missile bureau over its recent launching drill of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), KCNA news agency said.
“He (Kim) said that the resolute military activity conducted by the company this time true to the Party’s battle order was a demonstration of loyalty and strong stand of the DPRK’s armed forces defending the sovereignty of the country and a clear explanation of the offensive counteraction mode and the evolution of the nuclear strategy and doctrine of the DPRK not to hesitate even a nuclear attack when the enemy provoke it with nukes,” KCNA reported.
On Tuesday, North Korea said it had tested its newest ICBM this week to gauge the war readiness of its nuclear force against mounting US hostility, drawing condemnation from the United States and its allies. The North Korean strongman said Monday’s launch demonstrated the military’s high mobility and rapid attack capability, and called for efforts to further strengthen its combat efficiency, KCNA reported.
‘I feel very unpleasant’
In a separate statement, Kim’s sister, Kim Yo Jong condemned the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for holding a meeting over its ICBM launch, saying it was an exercise of the country’s right to self-defence. “I feel very unpleasant over the fact that the UNSC convened an open meeting according to the brigandish demand of the US and its satellite countries and brought up the sovereign right of the DPRK into discussion, and strongly condemn it,” she said. “The UNSC should place heavy responsibility on the irresponsible behavior and act of the US and the ROK, which have aggravated the tension on the Korean peninsula through all sorts of military provocations all year round,” she added.
Since adopting its nuclear doctrine last year, Kim has repeatedly threatened to use nuclear weapons preemptively. However, several foreign experts say North Korea has yet to obtain functioning nuclear missiles and is also unlikely to use its nukes first because it’s outgunned by the US. North Korea Monday conducted its first intercontinental ballistic missile tests in five months, calling the drill a warning over confrontational US and South Korean moves. North Korea cited a recent US-South Korean meeting on boosting their nuclear deterrence plans.
Last year, North Korea legislated a law that stipulates a broad range of situations in which it can use nuclear weapons. Since the start of 2022, it has also test-fired about 100 ballistic missiles and Monday’s Hwasong-18 launch was the weapon’s third test-flight this year. The US and South Korea have repeatedly warned that any attempt by North Korea to use nuclear weapons would result in the end of the Kim Jong Un government.
(With agency inputs)
Comments
0 comment