N Korea threatens South and US with nuclear strikes
SEOUL: North Korea on Monday threatened pre-emptive and “indiscriminate” nuclear strikes against South Korea and the United States as the two allies kicked off their annual, largescale military exercises.
In a statement issued hours before the drills began, North’ s powerful National Defence Commission said it was prepared for an “all-out” military counter-offensive.
Describing the exercises as “nuclear war drills” aimed at undermining North Korea’s sovereignty, the statement said the Supreme Command of the Korean People’s Army was ready to launch a “pre-emptive and offensive nuclear strike” in response.
“The indiscriminate nuclear strike... will clearly show those keen on aggression and war, the military mettle (of North Korea),” said the statement carried by the North’s official KCNA news agency.
Targets would include American bases on the Korean peninsula and elsewhere in Asia, as well as the US mainland.
“If we push the buttons to annihilate the enemies even right now, all bases of provocations will be reduced to seas of flames and ashes in a moment,” the statement added.
The drills always raise tensions on the divided Korean peninsula and the situation is particularly volatile this year, given the North’s recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch and its fury over tough UN sanctions imposed in response.
The indiscriminate nuclear strike will clearly show the military mettle (of North Korea)... If we push the buttons to annihilate the enemies even right now, all bases of provocations will be reduced to seas of flames and ashes in a moment NATIONAL DEFENCE COMMISSION, North’s military management body
Participation in the joint exercises — known as Key Resolve and Foal Eagle — has been bumped up this year to involve 300,000 South Korean and around 17,000 US troops, as well as strategic US naval vessels and air force assets.
The threat comes just days after leader Kim Jong-Un ordered the country’s nuclear arsenal to be placed on standby, in response to the sanctions resolution adopted last week by the United Nations.
While the North is known to have a small stockpile of nuclear warheads, experts are divided about its ability to mount them on a working missile delivery system.
In Seoul, the defence ministry cautioned the North against acting out its bellicose rhetoric.
“If North Korea launches a provocation, our military will respond sternly and mercilessly,” ministry spokesman Moon Sang-Gyun said.