An unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile is launched during an operational test at 2:10 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California, United States, August 2, 2017. Photo taken August 2, 2017 / Document via REUTERS Acquire license rights
SEOUL, Nov 3 (Reuters) – North Korea will increase its military deterrence to ensure its security against a U.S. nuclear arsenal aimed at it, its state media reported on Friday, as it criticized the United States for their recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). test.
The US Air Force launched a nuclear-capable Minuteman III missile from a base in California on Wednesday, but the missile was exploded after an anomaly has been detected. The test took place in the presence of South Korean defense officials, during their first such visit since 2016.
A North Korean military commentator said that despite the test failure, the presence of South Korean “puppet military gangsters” showed that U.S. nuclear weapons were aimed at North Korea.
“The DPRK will continue its military action as always to strengthen deterrence and ensure strategic security on the Korean Peninsula and the region,” the unidentified commentator said in an article published by the official KCNA news agency, referring to the country by the initials of its official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
The commentary also criticizes the United States and South Korea for various recent military measures, including the deployment of U.S. strategic nuclear bombers to South Korea.
“The nuclear threat from the United States and its vassal forces to the DPRK is approaching a new red line,” the North Korean commentator said, calling for strengthening the “nuclear self-defense armed forces.”
South Korea’s Unification Ministry, which handles inter-Korean affairs, said the comment raised questions about whether North Korea was preparing to justify another military “provocation.”
“It is clear that the current heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula are the result of North Korea’s futile nuclear development and irresponsible military provocations,” deputy ministry spokesperson Kim In-ae said at a briefing. Press.
South Korea last month held a joint exercise with the United States and Japan near the Korean Peninsula, involving a U.S. B-52 strategic aircraft. bomber as well as combat aircraft from all three nations.
The United States and South Korea also held aerial exercises last month involving 130 fighter jets from both countries to simulate 24-hour war operations.
South Korea and the United States say their exercises are aimed at maintaining combat readiness against North Korea.
North Korea denounces these exercises as preparations by the United States and its South Korean ally to invade.
Reporting by Hyunsu Yim; Additional reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Editing by Robert Birsel
Our standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.