North Korea warns US it is prepared to use a ‘powerful nuclear deterrent’
NORTH KOREA has warned Donald Trump that it is prepared for war and is ready to use its “powerful nuclear deterrent”.
Vice Foreign Minister Han Song Ryol blamed the US President for building up a “vicious cycle” of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, saying that his “aggressive” tweets were “making trouble”.
Mr Han warned the US against provoking North Korea militarily, saying: “We will go to war if they choose.”
He said: “If the US comes with reckless military manoeuvres then we will confront it with the DPRK’s pre-emptive strike,” referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“We’ve got a powerful nuclear deterrent already in our hands, and we certainly will not keep our arms crossed in the face of a US pre-emptive strike.”
Speaking through an interpreter provided by the foreign ministry, Mr Han was calm and polite but forceful throughout the 40-minute interview.
Tensions are deepening as the US has sent an aircraft carrier to waters off the peninsula and is conducting its biggestever joint military exercises with South Korea.
Pyongyang, meanwhile, recently launched a ballistic missile and some experts say it could conduct another nuclear test at virtually any time.
“That is something that our headquarters decides,” Mr Han said of what would be North Korea’s sixth nuclear test.
“At a time and at a place where the headquarters deems necessary, it will take place.”
Many North Korea watchers believe North Korea could have a viable nuclear warhead and a ballistic missile capable of hitting the US mainland on Mr Trump’s watch as President – within the next few years.
Mr Han, however, said North Korea blames Mr Trump and the US for the rising tensions.
He cited not only the US-South Korean wargames and the deployment of the aircraft carrier, the USS Carl Vinson, but also a tweet Mr Trump posted on Tuesday in which he said the North is “looking for trouble”.
The president also tweeted that if China does not do its part to rein in Pyongyang’s nuclear ambitions, the US can handle it.
Meanwyhile, a Chinese Minister says there can be no winners in a war between the US and North Korea over nuclear weapons and missile programmes. Foreign minister Wang Yi pledged support for dialogue between the sides and urged them to take a flexible approach.