In response to North Korea’s comments about a possible nuclear conflict, South Korea has issued a strong warning to the regime in Pyongyang. Should North Korea attack with nuclear weapons, it must expect the “end” of its regime, the South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted a statement from the Ministry of Defense in Seoul.
North Korea had previously criticized the arrival of a US nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, saying the move could “virtually unleash the worst crisis of any nuclear conflict.” North Korea accused the US of “blatant nuclear blackmail”.
Should North Korea attack South Korea and its security partner the United States with nuclear weapons, there will be an “immediate, overwhelming and decisive response from the alliance,” Yonhap quoted the ministry in Seoul as saying. Such an attack would “result in the end of the North Korean regime,” it said. In view of heightened tensions with North Korea, the USA and South Korea agreed in April to strengthen their military cooperation.
North Korea: Series of missile tests
This includes a more visible deployment of US strategic weapons systems, including nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. Depending on the design, such rockets can also be equipped with one or more nuclear warheads.
North Korea is subject to tough international sanctions because of its nuclear weapons program. After an unprecedented series of missile tests last year, the largely isolated country launched multiple nuclear-capable missiles again this year.
According to media reports, US President Joe Biden wants to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol near Washington on August 18 for a summit. It should be about the conflict with North Korea. Japan and South Korea are key US allies in the region.
