North Korea Stresses Enhanced Defense Against 'Provocative Moves' from South Korea and the US
Click to start listening
Synopsis
North Korea has reiterated its focus on enhancing its defensive capabilities in response to perceived threats from South Korea and the US. This comes amid concerns about the North's advancing nuclear missile technology.
Key Takeaways
- North Korea reaffirms commitment to defense.
- US General warns of ICBM threats.
- DPRK claims self-defense is a sovereign right.
- Criticism of US military ambitions.
- Concerns over missile defense systems.
Seoul, Feb 15 (NationPress) North Korea reiterated its dedication to strengthening its defensive systems to counter what it refers to as "provocative moves" by South Korea and the United States, as reported by the North's state media on Saturday.
"The DPRK's enhancement of its self-defensive capabilities is a critical necessity to deter the escalating various provocative actions of its rivals and to safeguard the state’s security," stated a press release from Pyongyang's defense policy chief, as cited by the Yonhap news agency quoting the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).
The acronym DPRK stands for the North's official designation, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
This declaration came a day after General Gregory Guillot, the commander of the US Northern Command, informed the US Senate Armed Services Committee that North Korea's latest Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) could present a direct threat to the US mainland and could potentially surpass its defensive systems.
Guillot indicated that Pyongyang might be progressing towards the production of new ICBMs capable of targeting North America.
A defense official from Pyongyang criticized the remarks made by the US General, accusing the US of falsely asserting that North Korea is making "non-existent threats".
"The US labeling this as a 'threat' merely demonstrates its hostility towards the DPRK," the official stated, highlighting that the US is attempting to legitimize its "reckless military ambitions."
"It is merely the self-defensive right of a sovereign nation to continuously advance its self-defense capabilities," he added.
"The armed forces of the DPRK will continue to effectively deter and manage all types of challenges and threats from rival nations through a robust self-defense capability and will faithfully fulfill their duty of reliably maintaining peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region."
The North's defense policy chief further accused the US of constructing a missile defense system intended for preemptive strikes against other nations and of weaponizing outer space.
He also condemned the recent visit of a US nuclear submarine to the Korean Peninsula and the information exchange between Seoul, Washington, and Tokyo, along with Seoul's plans for joint military and space-related exercises with the US.
