Kim Jong Un escalates with new missile threat amid rising tensions
Kim Jong Un threatens the West once again. "Dialogue or confrontation can be our choice, but what we must be more thoroughly prepared for is confrontation," said the North Korean leader during his speech. He made these remarks while handing over ballistic missiles to military commanders. As many as 250 missiles are to be deployed near the border with South Korea.
According to CNN, North Korean media likely showed missile launchers mounted on vehicles. Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, posed right next to them. On Sunday, a special ceremony was organized, during which the crowd cheered at the sight of passing armed vehicles.
Kim Jong Un personally supervised the equipment handover to military commanders and chiefs of staff. He also gave a speech, stating that the new rocket launchers were built using North Korean technology.
"Dialogue or confrontation can be our choice, but what we must be more thoroughly prepared for is confrontation," - CNN quotes the dictator. The 40-year-old added that this is the "keynote of our policy toward the US that we have consistently maintained." He later threatened the United States, warning that if they ignore these warnings and attempt to undermine regional security, "it will have dire consequences for its own security."
Increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula
Sunday's displays in Pyongyang took place during a period of increased tensions on the Korean Peninsula. This is happening at a time when North Korea has entered into a military strategic partnership with Russia.
South Korea has begun military cooperation with the USA and Japan. These countries are conducting joint exercises that Pyongyang views as a threat.
"Assuming all 250 launchers are functional it’s unclear if North Korea has produced the corresponding capacity of 1,000 missiles (and beyond). It’s highly improbable at least that North Korea has anywhere near that number of tactical nuclear warheads - CNN quotes Joseph Dempsey, a defence and military analysis fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
