North Korea Threatens Nuclear Attack On U.S.
Posted July 3, 2006 12:00 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Whether or not it can deliver on such a threat, North Korea promised an “annihilating” nuclear attack on the U.S. Monday in the event of a pre-emptive strike from the States against the communist regime.
The threat of atomic retaliation was linked to heightened scrutiny of North Korea following reports by Japan the reclusive state had taken steps to test long-range missiles.
The North’s Central News Agency accused the U.S. of a massive arms buildup and increased aerial espionage from spy planes in South Korea.
“This is a grave military provocation and blackmail to the DPRK, being an indication that the U.S. is rapidly pushing ahead in various fields with the extremely dangerous war moves,” the report said.
“The army and people of the DPRK are now in full preparedness to answer a pre-emptive attack with a relentless annihilating strike and a nuclear war with a mighty nuclear deterrent.”
The report concluded by urging the U.S. to “get out of South Korea promptly.” About 29,500 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea as a deterrent.
But America won’t be easily intimidated. The George W. Bush administration responded sternly Monday, saying it had no intention of attacking but is determined to protect the United States if North Korea launches a long-range missile.
“Should North Korea take the provocative action of launching a missile the U.S. would respond appropriately, including by taking the necessary measures to protect ourselves,” said Julie Reside, a State Department spokeswoman.
“We and our partners in the six-party process continue strongly to urge North Korea not to launch a long-range missile and, instead, to return to the six-party talks.”
The six-party talks, suspended by North Korea, involved negotiations with the United States, China, South Korea, Japan and Russia.
The U.S. and North Korea have been in a standoff over nuclear weapons since 2002. The North claims to have produced nuclear arms, but that claim hasn’t been publicly verified by outside analysts.
