South Korea, the United States are at odds over Kim Jong Un threatening to use nuclear weapons

South Korea, the United States are at odds over Kim Jong Un threatening to use nuclear weapons

South Korea: During a fiery speech against rivals who he claims are pushing the Korean Peninsula to the brink of war, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un warned he is ready to use nuclear weapons in a fight with the United States and South Korea.

Aiming to increase internal unity in the impoverished country during pandemic-related economic difficulties, Mr. Kim’s comments to war veterans marked the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. Analysts say that although Mr. Kim has increased his nuclear threats against his rivals, he’s unprobable to use them against the best military power of the U.S. and its allies first.

According to the official Korean Central News Agency, Mr. Kim said his armed forces were designed “to respond to any situation,” in the country’s nuclear war deterrent.

To justify its cruel policies toward North Korea, the United States “demonizes” North Korea. North Korea’s regular military training, including its missile tests, are sensed as inspirations or threats by US-South Korean military drills that he said are aimed at it.

Slams South Korea

In addition, Mr. Kim accused President Yoon Suk Yeol’s new government of being led by confrontational maniacs and gangsters. A preemptive strike capability and greater military alliances with the United States are some of the moves the Yoon government has made since taking office in May.

It is preposterous and dangerously suicidal to talk about military action versus our nation, which has the most powerful weapons in the world, Mr. Kim said. ‘We will annihilate the Yoon Suk Yeol government and its military for making such a dangerous attempt.'”

Mr. Kim’s threat caused South Korea to express “deep regret” and it vowed to respond to any additional provocations from North Korea “powerfully and effectively.”

According to Mr. In Yoon’s presidential national security office, a strong alliance with the United States is crucial to ensuring the safety of South Korea’s citizens. Denuclearization steps should be taken by North Korea by returning to talks.

A military capacity boost for South Korea

Earlier Thursday, the Defense Ministry reiterated that South Korea had been bolstering its military capabilities and joining forces with the United States to address escalating nuclear threats from North Korea.

He test-launched missiles that place both the U.S. mainland and South Korea in striking distance of nuclear-capable missiles. Kim said the North Korean military could resort to preemptive use of nuclear weapons if threatened. North Korea has repeatedly been rumored to be ready for its first nuclear test in five years by U.S. and South Korean officials in recent months.

Mr. Kim has faced pandemic-related border closures, US-led sanctions, and mismanagement that have battered his country’s economy. Despite its lack of medical capacity to handle modern diseases, North Korea reported its first COVID-19 outbreak in May.

Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said Kim’s rhetoric inflates external threats to justify an economically struggling regime. Kim portrays North Korea’s destabilizing arms buildup as a righteous response to self-defense, although its nuclear and missile programs violate international law.”

While its allies plan to expand summertime exercises, North Korea is likely to intensify its threats. Due to concerns about COVID-19 and in support of now-stalled U.S.-led diplomacy, the South Korean and U.S. militaries have scaled back or canceled some of their regular exercises in recent years.

According to Mr. Kim, his government recently set a task to increase its military capabilities faster so it will respond more quickly to military pressure campaigns conducted by its enemies, thus suggesting a nuclear test is planned.

In South Korea’s Sejong Institute, Cheong Seong-Chang said North Korea won’t probably conduct a nuclear test until China’s Communist Party convention in autumn when it holds its major ally’s convention. As a result of a North Korean nuclear test, China is worried that the United States would be justified in strengthening its security partnerships with allies to counter Chinese influence in the region.

Although North Korea has said it is overcoming the COVID-19 outbreak during diving fever cases, experts are unsure if North Korea can lift its strict restrictions soon due to the case that the virus could recur later this year. State media photos showed Kim, veterans, and others not wearing masks during Wednesday’s program. There were 11 fever cases reported in North Korea on Thursday, down from about 400,000 a day in May.

Medical relief items given by the United States and South Korea have been rejected by North Korea. A reference to U.S.-led sanctions and U.S.-South Korean military drills may have been mentioned in the statement, which stated that it would not return to talks with the United States unless it first renounced its cruel policies in the North.

edited and proofread by nikita sharma