North Korea criticises US deployment of nuclear assets in South Korea

SEOUL – North Korea’s Defence Ministry denounced the US’ deployment of nuclear strategic assets in South Korea, state news agency KCNA reported on Oct 1, as Seoul was gearing up for a rare military parade marking Armed Forces Day.

North Korean Vice-Defence Minister Kim Kang Il accused Washington of running a “reckless military bluff” and stoking tension by sending a nuclear-powered submarine recently to South Korea and flying a B-1B bomber for the planned parade.

South Korean media outlets have reported that a B-1B bomber will join the parade set for Oct 1 afternoon, flying over Seoul alongside allied fighter jets and other aircraft.

South Korea’s military and US Forces Korea have not confirmed the bomber’s participation, but Seoul’s Defence Ministry said the parade was partly intended to show off its military might as a deterrent to the North.

Mr Kim said the US’ show of force highlighted its strategic disadvantage on the Korean peninsula over North Korea, as well as South Korea’s “chronic nuclear phobia”. He called for fresh measures in response.

“We can examine such fresh action plans any time and carry them out,” he said, vowing to continue improving the country’s “powerful war deterrent”, according to KCNA.

Last week, Ms Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, criticised the

presence of a US nuclear submarine

in South Korea. The vessel was docked at the port city of Busan to get supplies and allow crew members to rest. REUTERS