Kim Jong Un Warned War Can Start Any Time

Kim Jong Un Warned War Can Start Any Time

The Korean Central News Agency revealed recently that Kim Jong Un has given instructions to increase the combat readiness of his military and warned that war may start without any earlier notice.

The comments of the North Korean leader were made as he visited a combat military unit recently. The statement comes as the neighbors of the communist country are closely observing the situation for any indications of instability after a purge in the senior leadership of North Korea. Jang Song Thaek, uncle of Kim, was executed recently after he was accused of attempting to overthrow the state. Jang was considered as the mentor of Kim Jong Un and the second in the command structure of the country.

President Park Geun-hye of South Korea also visited the frontline recently and told troops that Seoul will respond to any provocations by the North without mercy. Tensions between the two countries flare up regularly. The two Koreas are technically still in the state of war since the agreement signed in 1953 that ended hostilities was limited to a truce.

The recent execution of Jang shows an exceptional admission of disunity within the leadership of North Korea, which has generally been secretive.

There is a lingering fear that Pyongyang may increase tensions with the West to enhance internal unity. This may be done through a long-range missile test or fourth nuclear test.

Nuclear tests were conducted by North Korea in 2006, 2009, and this year. The tests violated UN sanctions and resulted to international condemnation. A number of satellite launches were also conducted by the North in the past and many analysts have indicated that these are used to disguise long-range missile tests.

Latest satellite imagery has given indications that the plutonium reactor of North Korea was restarted. It also appears that the country is also preparing the missile launch and nuclear test sites under Kim Jong Un.

Posted by James Fried on Thursday December 26 2013, 4:40 AM EST. Ref: VOA News. Link. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, World. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0