13:13, 11-Feb-2018
US Nuclear Posture Review: DPRK hits back at Pentagon document, says it will strengthen nuclear deterrence against the US
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The DPRK said on Saturday that it will further reinforce its nuclear deterrence against the United States. The statement comes after Washington's renewed nuclear commitment to its allies. Yang Zhao has the details.
The Winter Olympics seem not strong enough to dispel the grey cloud on the Korean Peninsula.
On February 2nd, the US Department of Defense unveiled its Nuclear Posture Review, which Pyongyang claims is aimed at launching a pre-emptive nuclear attack on the DPRK. The document outlines the development of new US nuclear weapons, while reaffirming the country's nuclear commitment to its military allies.
Pyongyang hit back on Saturday, saying that it will quantitatively and qualitatively strengthen its self-defensive nuclear deterrence. And the DPRK believes the Pentagon's Nuclear Posture Review is a, quote, unpardonable provocation to the country.
However, the defense document has been welcomed by South Korea as it may get more security under the US nuclear umbrella. Both Pyongyang and Seoul are walking on eggshells now while pursuing peace.
Even though Kim Jong Un has offered an olive branch by sending an invitation for a meeting with Moon Jae-in, the DPRK leader still chose to hold a military parade on the eve of the opening of the PyeongChang Games, a parade which showed off the country's intercontinental ballistic missile, the Hwasong-15.