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North Korea Threat: Thousand-Fold Military Retaliation Against US

by alia_d | June 17, 2009 at 12:59 pm

374 views | 34 Recommendations | 5 comments

In yet another round of sabre-rattling, North Korea has announced that, if it is provoked by the US and its allies, it will retaliate with a "thousand-fold" military strike. Apparently one-fold, or even one-hundred fold, just isn't good enough.

According to the BBC, North Korea announced its intentions in a commentary by the state news agency KCNA, in which it said, "If the US and its followers infringe upon our republic's sovereignty even a bit, our military and people will launch a one hundred- or one thousand-fold retaliation with merciless military strike."

This latest "thousand-fold" threat comes after the imposition of UN sanctions and in reaction to a statement by President Obama at a recent press conference in Washington with South Korea's President.

At a news conference with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, Mr Obama said the US would "vigorously" pursue an end to North Korea's nuclear programme.

Other US officials like Geoffrey Pyatt, the chief US delegate to the International Atomic Energy Agency have also made statements encouraging North Korea to dismantle its nuclear programme.

State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley told reporters Wednesday that the United States is now aggressively implementing U.N. sanctions. He urged the North to return to nuclear disarmament negotiations.

However, North Korea seems unwilling to budge. In addition to threatening a merciless "thousand-fold" military attack, North Korea has responded to the UN Sanctions by intensifying its nuclear programme.

The North has responded to the U.N. sanctions by promising to weaponize all its plutonium and step up its nuclear bomb-making by enriching uranium. Both plutonium and uranium can be used to make atomic bombs. U.S. officials have said the North Koreans also appear to be making preparations for a third nuclear test.

Asked about the possibility that the North was preparing for more missile tests, Crowley said, "I don't think anyone in the United States government has a crystal ball on why North Korea does what it does. Its behavior is provocative. It represents a threat to the region. We have grave concerns about the behavior of North Korea."

This latest threat comes after a series of events that have increased tensions between North Korea and the United States, including crimes that North Korea claims have been committeed by 2 American journalists and the country's decision to test nuclear weapons in May 2009.

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Caoimhin1

at 13:11 on June 17th, 2009

Thanks for adding this!

sonfilmizle (not verified)

at 13:22 on June 17th, 2009

Thanks

Paschen

at 18:00 on June 17th, 2009

Good post and a good settled bit of sarcasm.

albertacowpoke

at 18:18 on June 17th, 2009

North Korea's stance is astounding. You would think that there have to be some behind the scenes talks between China and Pyonyang. The obvious question has to be "Is China encouraging this bad behaviour?"

sivakaran

at 20:22 on June 17th, 2009

I think so too.

China is probably continuing its attempt as showing "who is boss". Unless US take strong stance against these threats, China will continue with its mind game.