Kim Jong warns North Korea could ‘preemptively’ use nuclear weapons
NORTH orean leader im ong Un warned again that the North could preemptively use its nuclear weapons if threatened, as he praised his top army officials for a massive military parade in the capital, Pyongyang, this week.
im expressed “firm will” to continue developing his nuclear-armed military so that it could “preemptively and thoroughly contain and frustrate all dangerous attempts and threatening moves, including everescalating nuclear threats from hostile forces, if necessary,” the North’s official orean Central News Agency said Saturday.
CNA said im called his military officials to praise their work during Monday’s parade, where the North showcased the biggest weapons in its nuclear arsenal, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that could potentially reach the U.S. homeland.
The North also rolled out a variety of shorter-range solid-fuel missiles designed to be fired from land vehicles or submarines, which pose a growing threat to South orea and apan.
The parade marking the 90th anniversary of North orea’s army came as im revives nuclear brinkmanship aimed at forcing the United States to accept the idea of his country as a nuclear power and remove crippling economic sanctions.
Speaking to thousands of troops and spectators mobilized for the parade, im vowed to develop his nuclear forces at the “fastest possible speed” and threatened to use them if provoked.
He said his nuclear weapons would “never be confined to the single mission of war deterrent” in situations where the North faces external threats to its “fundamental interests.”
im’s comments suggested he would continue a provocative run in weapons testing to dial up the pressure on Washington and Seoul.
South orea will inaugurate a new conservative government in May that could take a harder line on Pyongyang following the engagement polices of outgoing liberal President Moon ae-in that produced few results.
im’s threat to use his nuclear forces to protect his country’s ambiguously defined “fundamental interests” possibly portends an escalatory nuclear doctrine that could pose greater concern for South orea, apan and the United States, experts say.