Kim’s speech to war veterans on the 69th anniversary of the end of hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War was apparently intended to boost domestic unity in the impoverished country amid economic hardships related to the pandemic. While Kim has increasingly threatened his rivals with nuclear weapons, he is unlikely to use them first against senior US troops and its allies, observers say. “Our armed forces are fully prepared to respond to any crisis, and our country’s nuclear deterrent is also ready to mobilize its full force responsibly, precisely and quickly according to its mission,” Kim said in Wednesday’s speech. , according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
“Double Standards”
He accused the United States of “demonizing” North Korea to justify its hostile policies. Kim said regular U.S.-South Korean military exercises that he argued target the North highlight “double standards” and “gangster” aspects of the U.S. because they characterize North Korea’s routine military activities – an apparent reference to its missile tests – as challenges or threats. Kim also claimed that the new South Korean government of President Yun Suk-yeol is led by “confrontational maniacs” and “gangsters” who have gone further than previous South Korean conservative governments. Since taking office in May, the Yun administration has moved to strengthen Seoul’s military alliance with the United States and strengthen its own ability to counter North Korea’s nuclear threats, including a pre-emptive strike capability. “Talking about military action against our nation, which has absolutely the most feared weapons, is absurd and a very dangerous suicidal act,” Kim said. “Such a dangerous attempt will be immediately punished by our powerful force, and the Yoon Suk Yeol government and his army will be annihilated.” South Korea expressed “deep regret” over Kim’s threat and said it remains ready to deal with any challenge from North Korea in a “strong, effective manner”. In a statement read by spokesman Kang In-sun, Yoon’s presidential national security office said South Korea will protect its national security and the safety of citizens based on a firm alliance with the United States. He urged North Korea to return to talks to take steps toward denuclearization. South Korean army soldiers prepare for an exercise at a training field in Paju, South Korea, near the border with North Korea, on Wednesday. (Ahn Young-joon/The Associated Press) Earlier on Thursday, South Korea’s defense ministry reiterated its earlier position that it is strengthening its military capability and joint defense posture with the United States to counter North Korea’s escalating nuclear threats. In April, Kim said North Korea could use preemptive nuclear weapons if threatened, saying they will “never be limited to the single mission of war deterrence.” Kim’s military has also tested nuclear-capable missiles that put both the US mainland and South Korea within striking distance. US and South Korean officials have repeatedly said in recent months that North Korea is ready to conduct its first nuclear test in five years.
Looking for support
Kim is seeking greater public support as his country’s economy has been hit by pandemic-related border closures, US-led sanctions and his own mismanagement. In May, North Korea also admitted to its first outbreak of COVID-19, although the scale of the illness and death is widely disputed in a country that lacks the modern medical capacity to deal with it. “Kim’s rhetoric inflates external threats to justify his militarily focused and economically struggling regime,” said Leif-Erik Esli, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul. “North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs violate international law, but Kim is trying to portray his destabilizing weapons buildup as a righteous effort in self-defense.” Experts say North Korea is likely to step up its threats against the US and South Korea as the allies prepare to expand summer drills. In recent years, the militaries of South Korea and the US have canceled or scaled back some of their regular exercises due to concerns about COVID-19 and to support deadlocked US-led diplomacy aimed at getting North Korea to give up its nuclear program in exchange for economic and political benefits.
