North Korea Issues Nuclear ‘Warning Signal’ to US, South Korea

North Korea Issues Nuclear ‘Warning to United States and South Korea as Kim Jong Un allegedly supervises the nation’s nuclear defense strategy.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reportedly oversaw the drill, which occurred as the U.S. and South Korea started a combined joint formation drill at Kunsan Air Base, which commenced on April 12 and is expected to end April 26. He reportedly likened the weapon system to “the firing of a sniper’s rifle.”
South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff claimed that any reports of such accuracy or capabilities of its weapons system were likely exaggerated, and that South Korea’s military could detect and intercept any weapons.
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The increase in China’s defense spending is concerning given its economy is “failing”, the head of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, Admiral John Aquilino said China’s economy had been battered by turmoil in its real estate sector and asserted that its official growth rates were “not real”.
He also said China was spending “drastically more” on its military than the 7.2% increase it declared last month.
“Despite a failing economy, there’s a conscious decision to fund military capability. That’s concerning to me,” said Aquilino, who is due to leave his post next month.
He also criticized China’s increasingly aggressive rhetoric and actions in the South and East China Seas, specifically around the disputed Second Thomas Shoal and Taiwan.
“As it applies specifically to Taiwan, I am watching an increasingly aggressive campaign plan of coercion and pressure,” he said.
The Chinese foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
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A top Chinese military leader told a gathering of senior foreign naval officials this week that China remains committed to resolving maritime disputes with other countries through dialogue but will not allow itself to be “abused”.
Aquilino also labeled North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s regime “disgusting” for spending on its military even as the country has grappled with food shortages.
“This is another regime where every bit of economic advance that they may have despite the sanctions are going towards military capability and not to feeding the North Korean people. That’s disgusting,” he said.
To combat North Korea’s aggressive pursuit of nuclear preparedness, Washington, Tokyo and Seoul agreed to a system of real-time missile data-sharing, which would allow the three countries to monitor Pyongyang’s launches, according to Newsweek.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said the launch “does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies,” stressing instead the “destabilizing impact of the DPRK’s illicit weapons program.”

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un visits a military university in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this picture released on April 11, 2024 by the (Korean Central News Agency. KCNA via REUTERS )
Local media accused the two allies of inciting “war fever” in the region that was a “confrontation racket” against the hermit kingdom “with extremely provocative and aggressive nature.”
“The event will highlight the ROK-U.S. Alliance by demonstrating lethality in the air domain, and enhancing its ability to deter, defend, and defeat any adversary,” the United States Air Force said in a press release.
Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi told reporters that North Korea launched at least one ballistic missile that flew 155 miles at a maximum altitude of about 30 miles. He also said the missile tests threaten the peace and safety of Japan, the region and the international community.
South Korea’s ruling People Power Party’s leader Han Dong-hoon gestures during his press conference at the party’s headquarter in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
North Korea in 2022 declared itself an “irreversible” nuclear weapons state and adopted a doctrine that authorizes the military to launch preemptive nuclear strike if the country’s leadership determines it is under threat, according to the Arms Control Association.
After North Korea Issues Nuclear warning, Kim declared that he would never give up any nuclear weapons or negotiate any denuclearization, confirming suspicions that many experts and leaders had held for years.