North Korea is ready to repel the United States, whose actions are escalating tensions on the Korean Peninsula.
This was stated by North Korean Defense Minister No Gwang-chol, quoted by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
No Gwang-chol pointed to the exercises between the Republic of Korea and the US Air Force and the appearance of a US Navy nuclear aircraft carrier in Busan. He said that the joint visit of the South Korean and US defense ministers to the inter-Korean border had “stirred up the war fever“. The North Korean defense minister noted that during their talks, the Pentagon chief and his South Korean counterpart discussed the integration of US nuclear forces and the potential of the Republic of Korea's conventional military.
“This is clear evidence of a hostile nature, a frank and direct expression of the intention to confront the DPRK to the bitter end. These are exactly the kinds of evil actions carried out by the enemy in the Korean Peninsula region“, the North Korean defense minister said.“We have no other choice. We clearly understand the hostility of the United States, which is ready to confront the DPRK to the end, and we will not hesitate to respond to this under any circumstances“, said Noh Kwang-chol. “From now on, any threats near our security sphere will be under our direct fire and necessary measures will be taken against them“, the minister added.
“We are ready to respond to anything. In accordance with the principle of ensuring security and protecting peace by relying on powerful forces, we will demonstrate more offensive actions in response to the enemy's threat“, emphasized Noh Kwang-chol. A day earlier, Seoul reported that the DPRK military had launched a short-range ballistic missile into the Sea of Japan.