North Korea’s Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Kim In-Ryong fired a warning to the United States that his country will use nuclear weapons if attacked. This comes hours after U.S. Vice President who is in South Korea on his first stop of a 10-day regional visit sent a warning to Pyongyang that the “era of strategic patience is over.”
Speaking on Monday from the Demilitarized Military Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea, Vice President Pence put North Korea on notice, saying neither the US nor South Korea would tolerate further nuclear or missile tests before warning Pyongyang to “stop provoking” the United States and not to test “the strength” its military forces.“
Vice President Mike Pence visiting the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) on the South Korean side on 17 April 2017. Credit: Lee Jin-man/AP
Vice President together with South Korean Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn, speaking a day after a failed missile test by the North also said they would strengthen anti-North Korea missile defense by moving ahead with early deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system.
In response, Pyongyang North upped the ante through bellicose rhetoric and warning. Speaking at a hastily called presser at the United Nations, North Korean deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Kim In-Ryong warned that the North “will use nuclear weapons” and it will be “an all-out war” if attacked.
He condemned US military attacks on Syria and the military build up in the Korean Peninsula. Kim went further to accuse America of raising tensions in the region by “disturbing the global peace and stability” through its strategic alliance with the South. The North calls Washington’s close strategic alliance and strengthening defense missiles with Seoul a threat to “peace and security” in the region.
US and South Korean Forces hold joint military exercise close to the North Korean border. Credit: AP
If attacked, the envoy continued, his country is ready to react to any “mode of war” from the US. Any missile or nuclear strike by the United States would be responded to “in kind,” said North Korean UN deputy ambassador Kim In-Ryong.
President Trump has said the United States is prepared to “go it alone” in dealing with the rogue nation if need be. The US Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and Strike Group is currently enroute to the Korean Peninsula, a move the envoy has labelled as “reckless.”
A letter sent to the UN Security Council demanding a hearing by Pyongyang alleging “US abuses” has gone unanswered.
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