North Korea leader ‘briefed’ on Guam missile plan
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been briefed on a plan to fire missiles towards the US Pacific territory of Guam, state media says. But the report said he would watch US actions before making a decision on “the enveloping fire at Guam”.
Last week, the North said a plan was being drawn up to fire four missiles into the sea off Guam, where US bombers are based. It came amid a sharp rise in rhetoric between the US and North Korea.
The report on state news agency KCNA said Kim Jong-un “examined the plan for a long time” and discussed it with senior military officials.
The commander of North Korea’s strategic force was waiting for orders “after rounding off the preparations for the enveloping fire at Guam”, the report added.
What he said
It quoted Kim Jong-un as saying: “The United States, which was the first to bring numerous strategic nuclear equipment near us, should first make the right decision and show through actions if they wish to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and prevent a dangerous military clash.” He ordered the army to be ready to launch the missiles if he made a decision for action, the report added.
Earlier, US Defence Secretary James Mattis warned that any attack by North Korea could quickly escalate into war. He said the US military would defend the country “from any attack, at any time and from any quarter”.
South Korea, which has been alarmed by the growing tensions in the region, has urged the US to seek a diplomatic solution to the crisis.
President Moon Jae-in told visiting top US military official Gen Joseph Dunford that the South’s top priority “and our national interest” was peace.