Published: Just now
North Korean dictator Kim Jong-Un says he is ready to use the country’s nuclear weapons in potential military conflicts with the United States and South Korea, AP reports, citing the state news agency KCNA. The dictator’s new threat came at a speech to war veterans on Wednesday to mark the 69th anniversary of the end of the Korean War in 1953.
“Our armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any crisis and our country’s nuclear deterrent capability is also ready to mobilize its absolute power dutifully, accurately and swiftly in accordance with its mission,” Kim said, according to KCNA.
Kim Jong-Un also accuses the US of “demonizing North Korea to justify its hostile policy”. Observers say North Korea is likely to step up its threatening rhetoric against the United States and South Korea as the countries prepare to expand their joint military exercises this summer.
In recent years, the exercises have been fewer, both as a result of the pandemic and the now-stopped diplomatic talks aimed at trying to convince North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons.