Faced with the rise of North Korean military power, Seoul is preparing a “ firm answer to all Pyongyang’s provocations. Because the concern is about tactical nuclear weapons.
With our correspondent in Seoul, Louis Palligiano
After an unprecedented string of missile tests this year and as Seoul and Washington believe the North has completed all preparations for its first nuclear test in five years, concerns are mounting over the possible addition tactical nuclear weapons.
The nuclear threat from North Korea intensifies with the order given by Kim Jong Un to further strengthen the country’s war deterrent “. At the Workers’ Party’s Eighth Central Military Commission which ended on Thursday, the Northern leader called for ” by all means consolidate the powerful self-defense capabilities in order to crush all hostile forces “Said this Friday morning the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
A ” firm answer »
During the meeting, the hermit kingdom mentioned the revision of its war plans and announced the reinforcement of operational tasks of its frontline units with “ a major military action plan “. A plan that would target South Korea and a probable allusion to the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons within artillery units at the front, according to experts.
And to further escalate tensions, state media released a photo on Thursday of senior North Korean officials gathered in front of a map showing the east coast of the peninsula, where South Korean nuclear power plants are located. As a seventh nuclear test by the North appears imminent, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol claimed that Seoul was preparing a ” firm answer » in the face of all provocations from Pyongyang.