Ministry of Unification, Firmly Responds to North Korea's Threat of Preemptive Nuclear Attack with Strong ROK-US Alliance

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of Unification stated on the 20th that it will "firmly respond based on the strong ROK-US alliance and ROK-US-Japan security cooperation" in response to North Korea raising the threat level by mentioning a 'preemptive nuclear strike.'

An official from the Ministry of Unification said to reporters on the same day, "North Korea is gradually becoming more explicit about the possibility of using nuclear weapons against us." The official emphasized, "To deter North Korea's determination to develop nuclear missiles, it is important for not only the ROK, US, and Japan but also neighboring countries and the international community to respond firmly and unitedly to North Korea's provocations and threats without wavering."

The Ministry of Unification assessed that North Korea continues to pursue nuclear development, possession, and delivery system advancement, citing as evidence for this evaluation the missile launch south of the Northern Limit Line (NLL) for the first time since the division, the intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch, and threats of preemptive nuclear strikes through articles in Rodong Sinmun. The official said, "It is important to make North Korea clearly recognize that possessing nuclear weapons harms its security and economy and to change North Korea's calculations so that it comes onto the path of practical denuclearization."

Regarding Kim Yo-jong, the vice department head of the North Korean Workers' Party, who again criticized the Ministry of Unification and the 'Bold Initiative' in a statement on the same day, the Ministry said, "We will not be swayed by North Korea's reactions and will continue to pursue the Bold Initiative unwaveringly with a calm and consistent stance."

The official reiterated, "What North Korea should do now is not provocations, threats, strengthening nuclear capabilities, or developing military reconnaissance satellites, but to respond to the 'Bold Initiative' we proposed." He added, "As North Korea also mentioned 'stabilization of the situation' in Kim Yo-jong's statement today, to stabilize the escalating tension, it must shift direction toward dialogue for denuclearization. The government will keep the door to dialogue open and continuously urge North Korea to come to the negotiating table."

In her statement on the same day, Vice Department Head Kim Yo-jong hinted at an ICBM launch at a normal angle and unleashed harsh verbal attacks toward the South, disparaged the Bold Initiative, and warned the Ministry of Unification to 'watch its words.' However, in the process, she also urged, "Instead of clinging to the Bold Initiative and indulging in absurd delusions, focus on stabilizing the rapidly escalating situation caused by mutual provocations."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.