Seoul – In a bold move that has escalated tensions in the Korean Peninsula, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un issued a stark warning on Thursday, declaring that Pyongyang would not hesitate to launch a nuclear attack if “provoked with nukes.” This comes in the wake of the North’s latest missile test on Monday, unveiling its most powerful ballistic missile to date, the Hwasong-18.
The international community has responded with concern, as Kim’s provocative statement followed discussions between South Korea and the United States last week in Washington. The talks focused on nuclear deterrence strategies in the event of a conflict with North Korea, with the allies emphasizing that any nuclear attack by Pyongyang on the United States and South Korea would lead to the downfall of the North Korean regime.
In response to Kim’s declaration, Washington, Seoul, and Tokyo released a joint statement urging North Korea to “stop conducting further provocations and accept our call for engaging in substantive dialogue without preconditions.” The three nations have heightened their defense cooperation, particularly in light of the numerous weapons tests conducted by North Korea throughout the year.
The North Korean leader’s directive to the military’s missile bureau not to hesitate in launching a nuclear attack under certain circumstances has raised concerns globally. This statement follows the North’s assertion that the Korean Peninsula is in a state of war by law, and strategic assets deployed by Washington in the South are considered the first targets of destruction.
In response to the rising tensions, the United States, South Korea, and Japan have intensified their military drills and cooperation. A US nuclear-powered submarine recently arrived in the South Korean port city of Busan, while long-range bombers conducted joint drills with Seoul and Tokyo on Wednesday.
Moreover, the three countries activated a system to share real-time data on North Korean missile launches, enhancing their ability to monitor and respond to potential threats. As the international community grapples with the heightened tensions, the urgency for diplomatic efforts and dialogue without preconditions remains at the forefront of discussions to prevent a further escalation of the situation.
Read Now:Bigg Boss Telugu 7 Winner Pallavi Prashanth Arrested for Post-Finale Chaos in Hyderabad
