Kim Jong Un’s sister steps up criticism of S. Korea

[ad_1]

The sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has warned of a possible nuclear strike if South Korea opts for military confrontation with the North.

Kim Yo Jong issued a statement on Monday, her second since last Saturday, criticizing a remark by South Korea’s defense minister Suh Wook.

Suh said on Friday that if South Korea believes a missile attack is imminent, its military has the capability to accurately strike any North Korean launch site and its command and support facilities.

Kim Yo Jong’s latest statement again accuses the South Korean defense minister of referring to a “preemptive strike” against Pyongyang.

It says if South Korea opts for military confrontation, the North’s nuclear combat force will “inevitably carry out its duty.”

The statement says that while deterrence is the primary mission of the nuclear force, once a war begins, its mission will change to “eliminating the enemy’s armed forces at a strike.”

It adds that the aim of mobilizing the nuclear combat force is to take the initiative at the outset of a war and to prevent protracted hostilities.

South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency says US and South Korean forces are due to conduct their regular joint drills from April 18 to 28, with advance training scheduled for April 12 to 15.

Observers say the military exercises are expected to draw a further backlash from North Korea.

[ad_2]