North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a stark warning, threatening the use of nuclear weapons "without hesitation" if North Korea's sovereignty is compromised by South Korea or its ally, the United States. This declaration, reported by the state news agency KCNA, underscores the ongoing tension on the Korean Peninsula, where North and South Korea remain in a technical state of war since the Korean War armistice in 1953.
Kim's statements come amid deteriorating inter-Korean relations, marked by frequent missile tests and an expansion of North Korea's weapons program, including tactical nuclear weapons. The announcement follows South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's warning that any nuclear aggression from the North would lead to the regime's collapse, backed by a "resolute and overwhelming" response from the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
As tensions mount, North Korea continues to challenge established boundaries, such as the Northern Limit Line in the Yellow Sea, while rejecting any reconciliation efforts. The South, in response, has bolstered its defense capabilities, showcasing its Hyunmoo-5 ballistic missile and enhancing military cooperation with the United States.
The situation is exacerbated by intensified military exercises between South Korea and the United States, further inflaming North Korea's rhetoric. Amid this backdrop, Kim Jong Un's sister, Kim Yo Jong, has asserted the invincibility of North Korea's nuclear forces against conventional weaponry.
This escalating conflict reflects a deepening hostility between the two Koreas, with diplomatic efforts seemingly at a standstill. The world watches closely as the prospect of a nuclear confrontation looms ever larger.
