North Korea boasted Tuesday that it is one of the few countries in the world to have nuclear weapons and advanced missiles and that it is also the only country to take on the United States by “shaking the world” with missile tests.
North Korea’s recent series of ballistic missile tests are fueling international tensions. The United Nations Security Council has long banned such tests. January was a record month for such tests, with at least seven launches, including a new type of “hysonic rocket” capable of maneuvering at high speed. A Hwasong-12 medium-range ballistic missile was also fired for the first time since 2017. It could hit US territories in the Pacific.
In a statement, North Korea’s foreign ministry said a series of tests since New Year’s have delivered “remarkable achievements” that bolster North Korea’s “war deterrence”.
In today’s world where many countries waste time in submission and blind obedience to the US, only our country on this planet can shake the world by firing a missile with the mainland US in its range.
The ministry also referred to the Hwasong-15, the longest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ever launched by North Korea. No missiles of that type have been fired since the first test in 2017, but they are believed to have the range to drop a nuclear warhead anywhere in the United States.
“In today’s world where many countries waste time in submission and blind obedience to the US, only our country on this planet can shake the world by firing a missile with the mainland US in its range,” it reads. in the statement of the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “There are more than 200 countries worldwide, but only a few have hydrogen bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles.”
US: “Threat to international security”
Asked for a response, the US State Department reiterated that it has no hostile intentions towards North Korea and the US is again pushing for dialogue. However, those calls have long fallen on deaf ears at Pyongyang. Attempts to convince Pyongyang to give up or limit their weapons arsenal in exchange for a easing of international sanctions have been rejected since 2019.
A US Department of State spokesman called North Korea a threat to international peace and security, and to global efforts to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons. “The United States has a strong interest in deterring North Korea, in defending us against their provocation or use of force, in limiting the scope of its most dangerous weapons programs, and above all in protecting the American people, our deployed troops , and keep our allies safe,” the spokesperson said.
US and South Korean officials fear that the January 30 launch of the Hwasong-12 missile is a step towards new tests with intercontinental ballistic missiles or nuclear weapons. It has been 2017 since North Korea conducted nuclear tests.
The United States on Monday called on North Korea to cease its nuclear and ballistic missile programs and prioritize the needs of the North Korean people.
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