Categories: World

North Korea warns it will use nukes if South Korea mounts attack

<p>
North Korea opposes war but would use nuclear weapons if South Korea attacked, Kim Yo Jong, the all-powerful sister of leader Kim Jong Un, said on Tuesday.</p>
<p>
Kim Yo Jong, who is a senior official in the government, said it was a "very big mistake" for South Korea's minister of defence to make recent remarks about his country’s missiles having the capability to hit targets in North Korea, state news agency KCNA reported.</p>
<p>
Kim's criticisms are most likely aimed at South Korean President-elect Yoon Suk-yeol, who has called for a more muscular defence against North Korean threats, a Reuters report cited Rachel Minyoung Lee, an analyst with the U.S.-based 38 North project as saying.</p>
<p>
Both Koreas have stepped up displays of military might after North Korea test-fired a series of powerful missiles this year. Officials in Seoul and Washington also fear it may be preparing to resume testing nuclear weapons for the first time since 2017 amid stalled negotiations.</p>
<p>
Kim and another North Korean official issued earlier statements on Sunday condemning Suh's remarks, and warned that Pyongyang would destroy major targets in Seoul if the South takes any "dangerous military action" such as a pre-emptive strike.</p>
<p>
The statements suggest Pyongyang is preparing the North Korean public for a possible shift in inter-Korean relations once Yoon takes office in May, Lee added.</p>
<p>
Meanwhile, a delegation from Yoon's team was in Washington this week to meet with U.S. officials, who reiterated their commitment to defending South Korea, according to a statement by the U.S. State Department on Tuesday.</p>
<p>
In her statement on Tuesday, Kim said, If the South Korean military violates North Korea territory, it will face an "unimaginably terrible disaster" as the North's nuclear combat force will have to carry out its duty, she said.</p>
<p>
<strong>Also read:  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/north-korean-icbm-test-invites-us-sanctions-brings-japan-and-south-korea-closer-159575.html">North Korean ICBM test invites US sanctions, brings Japan and South Korea closer</a></strong></p>

IN Bureau

Recent Posts

Surya Kiran: Indo-Nepal joint military ex focuses on urban warfare, jungle survival

The 18th edition of the Indo-Nepal Joint Military Exercise Surya Kiran, currently underway in Nepal,…

39 minutes ago

Trump says meeting being set up between him and Putin

US President-elect Donald Trump said on Thursday (local time) that a meeting is being set…

1 hour ago

Pakistan: Baloch human rights activist gives call for national gathering to protest against state brutality

Leading Baloch human rights activist and organiser of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Mahrang Baloch…

1 hour ago

Tibetan activists slams China’s attempt to replace ‘Tibet’ with ‘Xizang’ during mournful events

The Tibetan people in-exile feel sad as China is using the term 'Xizang' for Tibet…

1 hour ago

China using “united front” tactics to influence Taiwan, says Mainland Affairs Council Deputy Minister

China is increasingly using various tactics under its "united front" strategy to influence Taiwan, according…

1 hour ago

Lebanon Army Chief Joseph Aoun elected as country’s new President

Lebanon's parliament elected Army Chief Joseph Aoun as the country's new president on Thursday, bringing…

2 hours ago