North Korea’s Kim warns of ‘nuclear attack’ when enemy provokes it with nukes: KCNA
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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Pyongyang would not hesitate to launch a nuclear attack if an enemy provoked it with nuclear weapons.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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SEOUL - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said Pyongyang would not hesitate to launch a nuclear attack if an enemy provokes it with nuclear weapons, state media reported on Dec 21.
Mr Kim made the remark as he met soldiers under the military’s missile bureau over its recent launching drill of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), KCNA news agency said.
He said the test demonstrated the loyalty and strong stand of the armed forces and was “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.
DPRK stands for the North’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
North Korea said on Dec 19 that it had tested its newest ICBM on Dec 18
The top diplomats of the US, South Korea and Japan on Dec 20 issued a joint statement condemning North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches and urged Pyongyang to engage in “substantive dialogue without preconditions”.
Mr Kim said the launch on Dec 18 demonstrated the military’s high mobility and rapid attack capability, and called for efforts to further strengthen its combat efficiency, KCNA reported.
In a separate statement Mr Kim’s sister, Ms 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.
“The UNSC should place heavy responsibility on the irresponsible behaviour 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 said.
ROK stands for South Korea’s official name, the Republic of Korea.
Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Dec 21 that it strongly condemns North Korea’s recent ballistic missile launches.
It said North Korea’s numerous missile launches are a clear violation of UNSC resolutions, and added that they raise tensions on the Korean peninsula, while jeopardising peace, security and stability in the region.
Singapore also called on North Korea to cease all provocations immediately and abide by its international obligations and commitments.
The US, South Korea and Japan staged a joint air drill involving a US strategic bomber near the Korean peninsula on Dec 20, the latest US strategic asset to be deployed as part of Washington’s pledge with Seoul to boost defence readiness. REUTERS
