North Korea Issues Warning on Strategic Deterrence Following US Aircraft Carrier's Deployment to South Korea
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Synopsis
On March 4, Kim Yo-jong, sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned about renewing strategic deterrence records in response to the US aircraft carrier's entry into South Korea. She criticized the US for perceived threats and stated the need for North Korea to enhance its nuclear capabilities.
Key Takeaways
- Kim Yo-jong warns of renewing deterrence records.
- USS Carl Vinson's arrival seen as US threat.
- US maintains constant military presence in Korea.
- North Korea considers enhancing nuclear deterrence.
- South Korea criticized North's statements as typical threats.
Seoul, March 4 (NationPress) The influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un issued a warning on Tuesday regarding the "renewal" of the nation's strategic deterrence records, criticizing the recent deployment of a US aircraft carrier to South Korea as an attempt to "threaten and coerce" its government.
Kim Yo-jong's remarks came as the USS Carl Vinson, a Nimitz-class US aircraft carrier, docked at a critical naval facility in the southeastern city of Busan on Sunday, as part of the US's commitment to providing extended deterrence against threats from North Korea, reported Yonhap news agency.
She accused the US of maintaining a "constant" presence of its strategic assets on the Korean Peninsula, denouncing the USS Carl Vinson's arrival in South Korea as a manifestation of Washington's "most hostile and confrontational intentions" toward the North, according to her statement published by the Korean Central News Agency.
"Given the regional military landscape, the US and its allies' malicious ambitions to "threaten, pressure, and subjugate the DPRK" through military means are evolving into a more reckless phase," Kim asserted, using her country's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Kim also stated that the US's aggressive policies provide "adequate justification" for North Korea to "indefinitely enhance its nuclear deterrence", warning that if the US continues its military displays, her nation will be forced to "renew its records in strategic deterrence".
"The DPRK is also contemplating increasing actions that pose a threat to the enemy's security at a strategic level," Kim cautioned.
A representative from South Korea's unification ministry criticized Kim's recent comments as part of North Korea's routine threats against the allies' defensive exercises, "irresponsibly shifting blame onto the other side."
Any statements made by her are typically viewed as reflecting the viewpoint of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
This statement is perceived as a warning from North Korea regarding the scale of the upcoming major joint military drills scheduled to take place between Seoul and Washington later in March under the current Trump administration.
South Korea's defense ministry also denounced Kim's recent remarks as mere "sophistry" aimed at justifying North Korea's military provocations, asserting that its nuclear advancements can "never be tolerated."
The recent arrival of the USS Carl Vinson marked the first visit by a US aircraft carrier to South Korea since US President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January. The nuclear-powered ship last visited South Korea in November 2023.
This latest visit also occurred approximately eight months after the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier docked in Busan in June of the previous year to participate in the inaugural Freedom Edge multidomain exercises conducted among South Korea, the US, and Japan.
