2023-07-20 15:02:08
On Thursday, North Korea’s defense minister said the ongoing port visit by a US nuclear-capable submarine in South Korea might fulfill the legal conditions under which Pyongyang would use its nuclear weapons.
“The deployment of the strategic nuclear submarine and other strategic assets may fall under the conditions of the use of nuclear weapons specified in the DPRK’s law on nuclear force policy,” the official said in a statement.
These statements come at the time that the Biden Administration confirmed the detention of a US soldier on North Korean territory.
According to information revealed by Karine Jean-Pierre, White House Press Secretary, the deprivation of liberty occurred following Travis King, a 23-year-old second class soldier who was assigned to the First Armored Division in South Korea, crossed the border until he reached an area controlled by Kim Jong-un.
Likewise, Jean-Pierre explained at a press conference that King enlisted two years ago and, being a serving soldier, had been arrested for assault, and released early last week.
The Biden government collaborator maintained that the US authorities had decided to repatriate him to a new destination: Fort Bliss in Texas where he was expected to face additional military disciplinary measures.
Meanwhile, it emerged that, before crossing the border, King was taken to the airport and escorted through customs to return to the United States but, in a confusing outcome, he managed to get past security and never boarded the plane. There he lost track of him until learning of his arrest in the North Korean area.
So far, the detention is full of questions. What is clear is that the capture of the US soldier by the North Korean Army comes at a time of tension in Pyongyang’s relations with Washington.
As will be recalled, recently Kim Yo Jong, the sister of the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un, threatened to carry out an “overwhelming nuclear deterrence” once morest those she considers “opponents” of the regime led by her family.
“Taking into account that the United States does not agree to abandon its policy once morest North Korea (…) we strive to establish an overwhelming nuclear deterrent,” Yo Jong said.
In this regard, through a joint statement, 10 of the 15 members of the Security Council of the United Nations (UN), including South Korea, expressed their disagreement with the pronouncement of the sister of the North Korean supreme leader.
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