US Planning Nuclear War, Says North Korean Paper

A warning was issued by the North Korean state media on the 4^th January which described the prospect of the nation substantially strengthening its “war deterrent”, claiming that the US was planning a nuclear war. Rodong Sinmum – the chief newspaper – stated that America was putting its nuclear arsenal through modernisation, in line with what it termed its “aggression strategies.”

"Our republic will continue to harden its war deterrent further in response to the U.S. stepping up its nuclear war moves," said the paper.

US: North Korea Missed Nuclear Declaration Deadline

Such an assertion followed by less than a week North Korea’s failure to meet a deadline, set for December 31^st 2007, under which terms it was meant to declare the scope of its own nuclear development.

Its failure to comply within the timescale given under an international agreement was highlighted by the US. However, one North Korean official said today, a relevant nuclear account has been given. The spokesman, whose name was not provided was quoted by the national news agency KCNA as having said: "We have already drawn up a nuclear report in November and have notified the United States of it."

He added: "As far as the nuclear declaration on which wrong opinion is being built up by some quarters is concerned, the DPRK (North Korea) has done what it should do."

Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, has pledged to end its nuclear productivity, in exchange for international aid. Six months ago, it closed down the prime Yongbyon nuclear reactor, with disablement commencing shortly afterwards under the watchful eyes of experts from the US.

Christopher Hill, the US Assistant Secretary of State, and a key figure throughout much of last year’s negotiations with North Korea, is due to visit Russia and Asia imminently, the US State Department has announced.

Source – Armed Forces International’s Far East Correspondent

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