N.Korea could use nuclear weapons at any stage of conflict: Pentagon

North Korea's advancements in nuclear and missile capabilities have enabled the country to deploy its nuclear weapons "at any stage of conflict," the US Defense Department said in a new defense strategy revealed Thursday.
The Strategy for Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction has been updated for the first time since 2014. This update reflects the current and emerging challenges and threats associated with WMD, including the trend of actors that pose a threat to the US.
The Pentagon defined North Korea as a "persistent threat" in the strategy, emphasizing that the country has prioritized its nuclear weapons arsenal and ballistic missile force as delivery means.
"The DPRK is developing and fielding mobile short-, intermediate-, and intercontinental-range nuclear capabilities that place the US homeland and regional allies and partners at risk," the Pentagon said, referring to North Korea by the acronym of its official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"Capability developments provide the DPRK with options for nuclear weapons use at any stage of conflict."
The new CWMD strategy highlighted that in 2022, North Korea enacted a law detailing its intention to preemptively use nuclear weapons in specific situations. The circumstances include responding to the perceived threat of an imminent nuclear attack, threats against the Kim Jong-un regime, the population, the state's existence, or as an option for offensive warfare.
The US Defense Department also said that North Korea's "longstanding chemical and biological weapons capabilities remain a threat," as the country "may use such weapons during a conflict."
North Korea's chemical employment methods encompass artillery, ballistic missiles, and unconventional forces. North Korea maintains an inventory of "up to several thousand metric tons of chemical warfare agents" and possesses the capability to produce nerve, blister, blood, and choking agents.
Tension has been building in the region as South Korea, the US and Japan tout their stronger defense cooperation against North Korea, which has begun to publicly display stronger military ties with Russia.
相关文章
Enjoying Halloween in Itaewon sparks debate online
Controversy has arisen over whether visiting Seoul's popular nightlife district Itaewon to cele2023-12-08TvN’s ‘Unexpected Business’ to return with season 3
Cable channel tvN's reality show "Unexpected Business" is scheduled to return on a bigger scale2023-12-08Subway fare in greater Seoul rises to 1,400 won
The basic fare for the subway in the Seoul metropolitan area has gone up by 150 won (US$0.11) to 1,42023-12-08- Anticipation is building in Seoul ahead of the Oct. 11 by-election to choose the head of the capital2023-12-08
- The cost of daily necessities in South Korea has surged over the past 50 years amid the nation'2023-12-08
S. Korea defeat Japan for 3rd straight men's football gold
HANGZHOU, China -- South Korea captured a record third straight Asian Games men's football gold2023-12-08
最新评论