Tensions Rise over North Korea
Washington
26 June 2009
North Korean officials on June 25 warned of a "fire shower" of nuclear
retaliation, if provoked by the United States. The U.S. military has
been following a North Korean cargo ship, suspected of carrying illicit
weapons, for a week. North Korea says it would be an act of war if the
U.S. military boards one of its ships.
North Koreans flooded Kim Il Sung Square
Thursday in a show of defiance against the West. The rally marked the
day North Korea invaded South Korea in 1950.
Senior government official Pak Pyong Jong threatened war, if North Korea is provoked."Our
revolutionary armed forces will deal an annihilating blow that is
unpredictable and unavoidable, to any 'sanctions' or provocations by
the U.S, and will mercilessly destroy the stronghold of aggression of
the enemy," he said.
Pyongyang has toughened its rhetoric
against Washington since President Obama promised to defend South Korea
with a "nuclear umbrella" earlier this month.
A U.S. Navy
destroyer has been tracking a North Korean ship suspected of smuggling
missiles and illicit weapons technology. The U.S. military has not
said if it will board and inspect the Kang Nam.
A Japanese newspaper says North Korea is preparing to launch a long-range ballistic missile towards Hawaii in early July.
After
North Korea conducted an underground nuclear test in May, the U.N.
Security Council and the Obama administration imposed sanctions on
Pyonyang.
"After the
nuclear test conducted by North Korea, I spoke to U.S. President Obama
on the phone and he said that the U.S. will 100 percent ensure Japan's
security in terms of nuclear deterrence," Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso said.
Aso met with U.S. Defense Department official Michele Flournoy on June 25, and was reassured.
"Because
I really, we, the United States view the Japan alliance as an absolute
cornerstone of our posture and our security in Asia," Flournoy said.
In
South Korea, protesters also observed the anniversary of the Korean War
with a demonstration against North Korea's latest threats.
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