North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country was ready to mobilize its nuclear force and counter any US military threat, and criticized South Korea’s new president for the first time, warning that Seoul was approaching the edge.
Kim spoke at an event to mark the 69th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, which left the two Koreas technically still at war, according to state news agency KCNA on Thursday.
The clash with the US has posed nuclear threats since the 1950s war and required the North to undertake an “urgent historic task” to bolster its self-defense, Kim said.
“Our armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any crisis, and our nation’s nuclear war deterrent is also ready to mobilize its absolute force faithfully, accurately and quickly for its mission,” the leader said.
Kim also denounced South Korea’s new president Yoon Suk-yeol for the first time, accusing him of threatening the North’s security and right to self-defense.
Yoon’s office expressed deep regret over Kim’s “threatening” remarks, saying that South Korea is capable of responding “strongly and effectively” to any provocation at any time.
“Once again, we urge North Korea to follow the path of dialogue to achieve denuclearization and substantive peace,” Yoon’s spokeswoman Kang In-sun said at a briefing.
Kim’s speech came after officials in Seoul and Washington said Pyongyang had completed preparations to carry out its first nuclear test since 2017.
South Korea’s Unification Minister who handles inter-Korean affairs said Tuesday that there was a “possibility” of the test close to the anniversary of the armistice, although a military official said there were no immediate signs of that.
If it proceeds with the test, North Korea is likely to face stronger sanctions, primarily targeting its cyber-attack capabilities, the South Korean foreign minister said on Wednesday.
In the speech, Kim said Washington continues with “dangerous and illegal hostile acts” against the North and seeks to justify its behavior by “demonizing” the country.
North Korea has long accused the United States of double standards on military activities and of adopting a hostile policy toward Pyongyang, saying it makes it difficult to restart negotiations aimed at dismantling the country’s nuclear and missile programs in exchange for relief. of sanctions.
“US attitudes are pushing bilateral relations to a point where it is difficult to turn back,” Kim said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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