North Korea said Thursday that, faced with the “hostile policy” of the United States, it had no choice but to counter “nuclear with nuclear,” an announcement that came on the 70th anniversary of the start of the Korean War.
“To eliminate the nuclear threats from the US, the DPRK government made every effort either through dialogue or by resorting to international law, but it all ended in vain,” according to a 5,500-word report released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Institute for Disarmament and Peace Affairs, which refers to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
“The remaining option was only one, and that was to counter nuclear energy with nuclear energy,” he said, adding that “a strong deterrent to national defense was highlighted as an indispensable strategic option.”
Pointing to the “pathological and inveterate hostile policy of the United States,” the report, published in state media, said the hermit kingdom will continue to strengthen its strength “to contain persistent nuclear threats from the United States.”
The Trump administration and the Kim Jong Un regime embarked on a series of talks to curb North Korea’s nuclear ambitions, but failed to reach a binding agreement.
North Korea has responded by firing short-range missile tests, blowing up a liaison office, and cutting lines of communication with South Korea.
Pyongyang said on Wednesday that it had suspended an unspecified military action against Seoul.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in, speaking at a ceremony to honor those killed in the war, urged North Korea to finally pursue peace and said he has no intention of forcing its political or economic systems in Pyongyang.
“We will continually seek routes that are mutually beneficial to both Koreas through peace,” he said. “Before we talk about unification, I hope we can become friendly neighbors first.”
The 1950-1953 war ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty, which means that the conflict technically continues.
South Korea did not sign the armistice.
A South Korean war veteran was pessimistic about the prospects for peace.
“The war is not really over and I don’t think peace will come while it’s still alive,” said Kim Yeong-ho, 89. “Nightmares keep coming back to me every day.”
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