The repeated North Korean missile tests are causing international concern. Kim Jong Un verbally rattles his sabers at the Korean Armistice celebrations. The ruler is threatening the USA and South Korea with a military escalation.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has confirmed his readiness to mobilize nuclear deterrence. "I reiterate that North Korea is ready for any military confrontation with the United States," Kim said at an event marking the 69th anniversary of the July 27 Korean ceasefire, which formally still sees North and South Korea at war condition.
Any attempt by South Korea to preventively weaken the north will also be answered with a strict answer and "annihilation". He was referring to plans by the Seoul government to revive a pre-emptive strike system in response to North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile program.
The North Korean army is prepared to "react to any crisis," Kim said. At the same time, the nuclear deterrent forces could be mobilized "precisely and quickly" in accordance with their mission. The sharpened tone of the North Korean ruler is likely to be related to the joint summer military exercises between the US and South Korean armed forces in August.
North Korea has tested missiles several times this year. For the most part, these were ballistic missiles, which, depending on their design, can also carry one or more nuclear warheads. Ballistic missiles are usually surface-to-surface missiles. The country also tested other weapon systems, such as multiple rocket launchers. According to South Korea, North Korea's military last fired ammunition from a rocket launcher in June.
UN resolutions ban the country from testing nuclear-capable missiles. South Korea and the US fear that the country will also test nuclear weapons for the first time since 2017 given the deadlocked denuclearization negotiations. Pyongyang is subject to tough international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program.
