“We’re prepared to respond to an all-out war with an all-out war.”
North Korea has raised the terrifying prospect of nuclear war amid recent developments that have seen the US Navy send a strike group into the Korean peninsula to boost defences and provide a more physical presence in the area.
According to the BBC, North Korea’s military arsenal was on display at a massive parade in Pyongyang on Friday to celebrate the 105th anniversary of the birth of North Korea’s founding president, Kim Il-sung.
Amid speculation that North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could be about to order a new nuclear test, a clear message was sent out that North Korea is prepared to act swiftly and in devastating fashion if provoked by the United States.
At the parade, which was attended by Kim Jong-un, Choe Ryong-hae, believed to be the country’s second most powerful official, said: “We’re prepared to respond to an all-out war with an all-out war.
“We are ready to hit back with nuclear attacks of our own style against any nuclear attacks.”
Last week, it emerged that a US Navy strike group has been sent into the Western Pacific, with Commander Dave Benham, spokesman at US Pacific Command, saying that it was a “prudent measure”.
“The number one threat in the region continues to be North Korea, due to its reckless, irresponsible and destabilising programme of missile tests and pursuit of a nuclear weapons capability,” Benham said.
North Korea has already conducted five nuclear tests in defiance of UN and unilateral sanctions and experts and military officials believe it is working on developing nuclear warhead missiles that could reach the United States.
Speaking about North Korea and possible Chinese intervention earlier this week, US president Donald Trump said: “If China decides to help, that would be great. If not, we will solve the problem without them! U.S.A.”
