News Analysis |
In an outrageous threat to the US and its ally Japan, Pyongyang has threatened to sink Japan and reduce the US to ashes and darkness after playing a lead role in imposing sanctions on North Korea earlier this week.
The US may be forced not to defend its allies in order to avert annihilation of US territories. With the crisis becoming deadlier, the US needs to water down its rhetoric against DPRK
After vowing to inflict the greatest pain to the US on Wednesday, the state-run media, KCNA released a very strongly-worded statement by Korea’s Asia Pacific Peace Committee targetted at Japan and the US. “The four islands of the archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche. Japan is no longer needed to exist near us,” the statement read.
The 15-member UNSC ratified sanctions on the regime on Monday, drawing a strong reaction of Pyongyang. DPRK, as it called officially, reiterated its oft-repeated threats after President Trump called the sanctions “no big deal”. With the burden of escalation firmly shifted to the US, ensuing threats were expected.
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Japan has taken serious exceptions to the statement. This announcement is extremely provocative and egregious. It is something that markedly heightens regional tension
“There’s a limit to patience. Now is the time to annihilate the U.S…aggressors. Let’s reduce the U.S. mainland into ashes and darkness. Let’s vent our spite with a mobilization of all retaliation means which have been prepared till now,” the statement said.
The current bout of tensions is more menacing, for now, DPRK has turned into a credible nuclear threat to the US and its allies. Washington’s brazen threats have not been able to deter or compel Kim’s regime, leaving the US in a dicey predicament.
The statement said that the people of DPRK are yearning to teach the imperialists a lesson. The statement asserted: “People of the DPRK have turned out in…confrontation…burning their hearts with surging anger and hatred toward the U.S. imperialists.” KCNA’s statement attributed the US with “Yankees” and “dogs”.
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North Korea has never forgotten or forgiven Japan for its brutalities of the past. The statement reflected that pervasive venom for the Japanese
North Korea has never forgotten or forgiven Japan for its brutalities of the past. The statement reflected that pervasive venom for the Japanese. “The wicked Japs should not be pardoned as they have not yet made a sincere apology for the never-to-be-condoned crimes.” Last month, DPRK fired an IRBM which flew over Japan, something which showed Kim not to be risk-averse. It was not only a warning to Japan but a follow up on earlier threats to the US territory of Guam.
The statement reminded Japan of that overflight.”A telling blow should be dealt to them who have not yet come to senses after the launch of our ICBM over the Japanese archipelago,” the statement said.
Pyongyang has threatened to sink Japan and reduce the US to ashes and darkness after playing a lead role in imposing sanctions on North Korea earlier this week
Japan has taken serious exceptions to the statement. “This announcement is extremely provocative and egregious. It is something that markedly heightens regional tension and is absolutely unacceptable,” Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a regular news conference on Thursday.
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This fresh threat has added to the worries of the US. Not only has Kim effectively turned a proliferation problem into one of deterrence, but in all earnestness, the US also faces a possible trade off problem. With CONUS, ROK and Japan simultaneously under threat, the US may be forced not to defend its allies in order to avert annihilation of US territories. With the crisis becoming deadlier, the US needs to water down its rhetoric against DPRK.