North Korean despot Kim Jong Un welcomed the new year by vowing to “completely annihilate” the United States and its rival South Korea if provoked, by deploying the Hermit Kingdom’s nuclear arsenal, known as its “prize sword.”
The heightened rhetoric comes after a year during which North Korea tested its largest ballistic missile and launched its first reconnaissance satellite.
“If the enemy chooses military confrontation, our military should deal a mortal blow to completely annihilate it by mobilizing all the toughest means and potentialities without a moment of hesitation,” Kim told the nation, according to the KCNA news agency.
The leader also attacked his southern rival, calling South Korea “a hemiplegic malformation and a colonial subordinate state” that has been “contaminated by Yankee culture.”
Kim has promised to strengthen North Korea’s national security. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
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He promised to launch three more surveillance satellites, bolster production of nuclear materials and increase the nation’s arsenal of military attack drones.
The controversial leader’s comments were made on Sunday before senior military leaders who gathered at the headquarters of the ruling Workers’ Party.
Experts saw the strong statements as a ploy by Kim to force concessions from the United States in future negotiations.
In a New Year’s speech on Monday, South Korean President Yoon Sukl Yeol said the country would be prepared for any hostility from North Korea.
“The Republic of Korea is building a genuine and lasting peace through strength, not a submissive peace that depends on the goodwill of the adversary,” he said.
South Korea’s Defense Ministry said the Asian nation and the United States would retaliate.
With post cables
North Korea has launched more than 100 missiles since 2022. AP North Korea plans to launch three spy satellites in 2024. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP via Getty Images
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Source: vtt.edu.vn