North Korea claims ‘nuclear war could break out at any time’ after Pence says US ‘strategic patience’ has expired
North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-ryol told the BBC that missiles would continue to be tested on ‘a weekly, monthly and yearly basis’
US Vice-President Mike Pence put North Korea on notice on Monday that neither the United States nor South Korea would tolerate further missile or nuclear tests by the reclusive state, with the US attack on Syria showing its resolve.
However, senior North Korean officials remained defiant, threatening that “nuclear war could break out at any time” and that the North would “destroy the aggressors without any mercy” should the US strike first.
We want to see change. we want to see North Korea abandon its reckless path
Pence and South Korean acting president Hwang Kyo-ahn expressed disappointment over China’s retaliatory actions against South Korea in response to the deployment of US missile defence system THAAD in the South, but reaffirmed their plan to go ahead with its deployment.
“We have agreed to further strengthen the readiness posture of ROK-US alliance that matches the threats posed by North Korea through a swift deployment of THAAD [Terminal High Altitude Area Defence],” said Hwang Kyo-Ahn at a joint conference with Pence.
At a White House Easter celebration on Monday, US President Donald Trump was asked if he had a message for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, and replied: “Gotta behave.”
North Korea’s deputy representative to the UN, Kim In-ryong, accused Washington of creating “a situation where nuclear war could break out an any time” and said Pyongyang’s next nuclear test would take place “at a time and at a place where our headquarters deems necessary”.
North Korea’s Vice Foreign Minister Han Song-ryol told the BBC that missiles would continue to be tested on “a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.”