Ministry of Unification Rebuts North Korea Foreign Ministry Statement: "Tension Escalation Due to Nuclear and Missile Development"

"Physical Preparations for Nuclear Test Seem Complete... Closely Monitoring Developments"

Ministry of Unification
Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of Unification clarified that "the current situation is clearly due to North Korea's reckless nuclear and missile development," in response to the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs raising the issue of the South Korea-U.S. joint air exercise 'Vigilant Storm' and escalating threats.

An official from the Ministry of Unification stated on the 1st, "North Korea is misleadingly blaming our annual and defensive exercises as the cause of heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula," expressing this position.

The official emphasized, "The government will maintain a firm deterrence posture to protect the lives and safety of our people," and urged, "We call on North Korea to stop provocations and respond to the bold initiative we have proposed."

The North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs threatened on the 31st of last month, when the South Korea-U.S. joint air exercise began, through a spokesperson's statement that "if the United States continues to carry out severe military provocations, we will consider stronger next-step measures."

This year's statements from the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson include the referral of North Korea's ballistic missile launches to the UN Security Council (January 14), the adoption of the UN Human Rights Council resolution on North Korean human rights (April 3), and now this third statement. Previously, in December 2017, during the South Korea-U.S. joint air exercise, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a spokesperson's statement criticizing our side.

Additionally, the official explained, "While it is impossible to predict North Korea's future provocations, we are closely monitoring various trends," adding, "Currently, physical preparations for a seventh nuclear test are underway on a large scale, including the restoration of tunnels at the Punggye-ri nuclear test site."

However, regarding the actual possibility or timing of a nuclear test, the official said, "This is a matter requiring Kim Jong-un's political decision," and added, "We believe North Korea is considering various internal and external circumstances when deciding when to conduct a nuclear test."

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