North Korea leader Kim Jong Un is once again encouraging his armed forces to get ready for war.
While supervising a tank exercise Sunday, March 24, Kim ramped up his war rhetoric as part of a cat-and-mouse game between North Korea and South Korea, Knewz.com has learned.
The Associated Press, citing North Korean state media, reports that Kim made the remarks while visiting his top tank group, the Seoul Ryu Kyong Su Guards 105th Tank Division.
Tensions in Korea have increased in recent months as North Korea has tested missiles and held military exercises as a show of force against South Korea, the United States and Japan, which have responded with joint military exercises of their own.
Photos published in state media showed Kim watching the tanks with North Korean flags alongside military officers.
At least one of the tanks carried a sign that reads: “Annihilate U.S. invaders who are staunch enemies of the Korean people!”
Kim, who has repeatedly alleged that the U.S. and its allies are preparing for an invasion of his country, pointed to the 105th Division as a great example “in the ongoing struggle … for finishing war preparations.”
Jeon Ha Gyu, spokesperson of South Korea’s Defense Ministry, noted that his country is closely monitoring North Korea’s actions.
Kim’s rhetoric comes as possible diplomatic talks could be on the table.
In another Associated Press report, North Korea revealed that it’s in talks to hold a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
However, Japan has said that preconditions presented by North Korea have stalled the possibility of a summit.
Recent Launches
As Knewz.com reported on March 18, North Korea’s most recent missile test came as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited South Korea for a Summit for Democracy conference.
Pyongyang fired off several short-range ballistic missiles that day.
The launches — North Korea’s first series in approximately a month — landed between the Korean peninsula and Japan, but no damage nor injuries were reported, according to Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.
“North Korea’s series of actions threaten the peace and security of our region and the international community, and are absolutely unacceptable,” Kishida said, calling the launch a violation of United Nations resolutions.
According to Reuters, South Korea military condemned the launches, calling them a “clear provocation.” The U.S. also condemned the tests, stating that they violated multiple U.N. Security Council resolutions.
Shin Won-sik, South Korea’s defense minister, said it was unclear if the missile tests were for North Korea’s use or if they were going to be sent to Russia.
“It is unclear whether the missiles are for frontline reinforcement or exports to Russia,” he said at a news conference. “But there is a significant possibility that they were making final performance checks before exporting them to Russia.”
The latest launches follow the conclusion of wargames by the U.S. and South Korea two weeks ago.
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Author: David Wetzel
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