North Korea Threatens the U.S. and South Korea with Nuclear War — Bloomberg
Pyongyang stated that the planned U.S.-South Korea military exercises are allegedly bringing the world closer to a nuclear conflict. North Korea also declared its readiness to exercise its right to “self-defense,” without specifying exactly what actions it had in mind.
The U.S. and South Korea plan to begin joint military exercises on August 17. This year, preparations for the exercises are taking into account new experience that North Korea likely gained through its participation in Russia’s war against Ukraine.
However, Washington and Seoul’s plans have outraged Pyongyang—which has issued a new round of warnings and threats.
“The DPRK will not tolerate the serious confrontational situation being created by hostile states,” the North Korean Foreign Ministry stated.
Furthermore, the ministry added that the country is prepared to “exercise its right to self-defense.” What this specifically entails remains unclear at this time. Against the backdrop of recent events, the DPRK has also begun criticizing the U.S. nuclear strategy, which is currently under review.
Pyongyang accuses Washington of having long used its nuclear capabilities as a key tool to achieve its “hegemonic and aggressive political and military goals.”
“The new U.S. nuclear doctrine is a serious and dangerous factor, as it disrupts the global nuclear balance, escalates the nuclear arms race, and brings global security to the brink of nuclear war,” the North Korean Foreign Ministry stated.
Meanwhile, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Elbridge Colby assured that no fundamental changes to Washington’s nuclear strategy are planned, according to Bloomberg.
Prior to this, North Korea criticized Japan’s new defense policy and accused Tokyo of seeking to legalize the buildup of its military forces. This was reported by the DPRK’s state news agency, KCNA.
As a reminder, South Korea provided Ukraine with a new $100 million aid package.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian intelligence has detected the Kremlin’s preparations for a new wave of mobilization measures this fall. According to him, Russia may also be planning to recruit another 30,000 troops from North Korea for the war against Ukraine.
Russian Presidential Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to confirm or deny reports that Russia may be bringing in another 30,000 troops from North Korea to fight in the war against Ukraine.
