Kim Jong Un threatens to use nuclear weapons against the US and South Korea

2024-10-08 09:48:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned again that he may use nuclear weapons in potential conflicts with South Korea and the United States, state media reported on Tuesday.

He accused the two countries of provoking North Korea and increasing hostilities on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim has made similar threats several times to use nuclear weapons to deter attacks against his country, but the latest warning comes as outside experts say North Korea could escalate hostilities ahead of a presidential election in USA next month.

During a speech Monday at a university named after him, the Kim Jong Un National Defense University, he said North Korea "will without hesitation use all offensive weapons against its enemies" if they try to use the armed forces against North Korea, according to the North's official news agency, KCNA.

"In this case, the possibility of using nuclear weapons is not excluded," he added.

Kim said North Korea's nuclear posture must be fully upgraded because South Korea and the United States are trying to strengthen their military alliance based on joint nuclear and strategic planning, a move he said would increase the risk of disrupting the balance of power on the Korean Peninsula.

He appeared to be referring to new South Korea-US counter-attack guidelines the two countries signed in July to integrate South Korea's conventional weapons with US nuclear weapons. better deal with the ongoing threats from North Korea.

South Korea does not have nuclear weapons.

Since adopting an aggressive nuclear doctrine in 2022, North Korea has repeatedly vowed to use nuclear weapons first if it foresees Pyongyang's leadership being threatened.

But many experts doubt whether North Korea can really do this, as its military forces are weaker than those of the US and South Korea.

US and South Korean officials have warned that an attempt by North Korea to use nuclear weapons would spell the end of the Kim government.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have deepened in recent weeks, with North Korea revealing a facility for the production of military-grade uranium, a nuclear component, and continuing a series of missile tests.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said North Korea's discovery of the nuclear facility was probably an attempt to get the US's attention ahead of next month's presidential election, and that the North is likely to make provocations. large, such as testing a nuclear explosion and testing long-range missiles.

Many analysts say North Korea is likely to use its expanding nuclear arsenal to win concessions from the US, such as easing sanctions, once the new US administration is inaugurated./ REL