Korean Peninsula on edge over North’s nuclear threat

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(Asia Today Wednesday 12 April 2017)

Korean Peninsula on edge over North’s nuclear threat

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Published: 4:00 AM, April 12, 2017

SEOUL — Tensions are threatening to boil over in the Korean Peninsula after Pyongyang yesterday warned of a nuclear attack on the United States at any sign of a pre-emptive strike as an American aircraft carrier steamed towards the region.

North Korea’s official Rodong Sinmun newspaper said the country was prepared to respond to any aggression by the United States.

“Our revolutionary strong army is keenly watching every move by enemy elements with our nuclear sight focused on the US invasionary bases not only in South Korea and the Pacific operation theatre but also in the US mainland,” it said.

South Korean acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn warned of “greater provocations” by North Korea and ordered the military to intensify monitoring and to ensure close communication with the US.

“It is possible the North may wage greater provocations such as a nuclear test timed with various anniversaries including the Supreme People’s Assembly,” said Mr Hwang.

Tensions have spiked sharply with talk of military action by the US gaining traction following its strikes last week against Syria and amid concerns the reclusive North may soon conduct a sixth nuclear test.

The North convened a Supreme People’s Assembly session yesterday, one of its twice-yearly sessions in which major appointments are announced and national policy goals are formally approved. But South Korean officials took pains to quell talk in social media of an impending security crisis or outbreak of war.

“We’d like to ask precaution so as not to get blinded by exaggerated assessment about the security situation on the Korean Peninsula,” Defence Ministry spokesman Moon Sang-kyun said.

Mr Moon Jae-in, the leading contender for the South Korean presidency, said yesterday that “military action on the Korean peninsula cannot happen without (South) Korea’s consent”.

Saturday is the 105th anniversary of the birth of Kim Il-sung, the country’s founding father and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un.

A military parade is expected in the North’s capital, Pyongyang, to mark the day. North Korea often also marks important anniversaries with tests of its nuclear or missile capabilities in breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Syrian President Bashar Assad sent a message of congratulations to mark the Saturday occasion. “The friendly two countries are celebrating this anniversary and, at the same time, conducting a war against big powers’ wild ambition to subject all countries to their expansionist and dominationist policy and deprive them of their rights to self-determination,” Russian news agency Tass quoted the message as saying.

The North’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement carried by its Korean Central News Agency, said the US navy strike group’s — led by nuclear-powered USS Carl Vinson — approach showed America’s “reckless moves for invading had reached a serious phase”.

“We never beg for peace but we will take the toughest counteraction against the provocateurs in order to defend ourselves by powerful force of arms and keep to the road chosen by ourselves,” an unidentified ministry spokesman said.

North Korea is emerging as one of the most pressing foreign policy problems facing the administration of US President Donald Trump.

The Trump administration is reviewing its policy towards North Korea and has said all options are on the table, including military strikes.

Mr Trump and his Chinese counterpart, Mr Xi Jinping, met in Florida last week and the American leader pressed his Chinese counterpart to do more to curb North Korea’s nuclear programme.

Yesterday evening, Mr Trump tweeted that “North Korea is looking for trouble.” “If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them! USA.” AGENCIES