North Korea issued a fiery response to the presence of a U.S. aircraft carrier battle group in South Korea, labeling it a provocation and once again hinting at the potential use of nuclear weapons as a defensive measure.
North Korea’s Growing Nuclear Arsenal
Bolstered by its advancing nuclear arsenal, North Korea has been increasingly vocal about the prospect of using these weapons preemptively.
Despite its growing nuclear capabilities, North Korea remains outmatched by the combined might of U.S. and South Korean military forces.
Experts, therefore, believe that the prospect of North Korea initiating a nuclear first strike is unlikely.
However, the regime is determined to persistently enhance its nuclear capabilities while avoiding diplomatic proposals, at least for the time being.
Reinforcing U.S. Military Assets
This latest North Korean nuclear threat coincided with the arrival of the USS Ronald Reagan and its accompanying battle group at South Korea’s port in Busan.
The carrier’s visit follows a joint naval exercise conducted in international waters earlier this week with the United States, South Korea, and Japan.
South Korean defense officials have stated that the USS Ronald Reagan will be in Busan for five days, part of a strategic arrangement designed to reinforce temporary deployments of powerful U.S. military assets in response to North Korea’s expanding nuclear program.
“An Undisguised Military Provocation”
North Korea’s official news agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), swiftly denounced the aircraft carrier’s arrival as “an undisguised military provocation,” presenting it as undeniable evidence that the U.S. is actively planning an attack on North Korea.
In response, the regime threatened to invoke its escalatory nuclear doctrine, which sanctions the preemptive use of nuclear weapons in self-defense.
KCNA conveyed, “The (North Korean) doctrine on the use of nuclear weapons already opened to the public allows the execution of necessary action procedures in case a nuclear attack is launched against it or it is judged that the use of nuclear weapons against it is imminent.”
The “Most Powerful and Rapid First Strike”
Moreover, North Korea hinted at its readiness to employ its “most powerful and rapid first strike” against U.S. strategic assets, perceived allies, and what it terms the “bases of evil” in the Korean Peninsula and its vicinity.
North Korea’s justification for its nuclear ambitions has always revolved around the alleged threat of invasion by the U.S. and South Korea.
The regime habitually responds with hostility to the presence of U.S. strategic assets, including aircraft carriers, long-range bombers, and nuclear-powered submarines, as well as joint military exercises with South Korean forces.
Heightening Tensions for Nuclear Gains
A commonly held view among experts is that North Korea employs these tactics to heighten tensions with its adversaries, creating a pretext for expanding its nuclear arsenal.
Once it achieves this, the regime uses its nuclear capabilities to secure concessions from the international community.
Over the past year, North Korea has conducted over 100 missile tests, often citing U.S.-South Korean joint military drills as the reason behind its actions. The U.S. and South Korea consistently maintain that their exercises are purely defensive in nature.
A Law Allowing Nuclear Weapons Use
Last year, North Korea enacted a law outlining a wide range of scenarios in which it could employ nuclear weapons, including when it senses an imminent threat to its leadership or when it deems such action necessary to avert an unspecified catastrophic crisis for its people and government.
Both the U.S. and South Korea have repeatedly warned that any attempt by North Korea to utilize nuclear weapons would result in the downfall of Kim Jong Un’s regime.
As tensions continue to simmer on the Korean Peninsula, the international community remains on high alert, carefully monitoring the evolving situation with concern and uncertainty.
The post ‘Don’t Provoke Us’ North Korea Issues Stern Warning to U.S. “Prepare for Powerful and Rapid First Strike” first appeared on The Net Worth Of.
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