S Korea, US plan nuclear war: North
Pastor Dale Morgan
*S Korea, US plan nuclear war: North*
From correspondents in Seoul
October 27, 2006 08:35pm
Article from: Agence France-Presse
NORTH Korea today claimed the US and South Korea were planning a nuclear
war against the communist state, accusing them of devising a war plan
and stocking up on the latest weapons.
"The madcap nuclear war moves against the DPRK (North Korea) are
extremely reckless proactive acts that make the nuclear issue on the
Korean peninsula all the more difficult to resolve and drive the
situation to its worst," the Korea National Peace Committee said in a
statement carried on the North's KCNA news agency.
The statement also said the North's own nuclear test was part of
preparations to defend itself against an US attack. It claimed US
outrage over the regime's test was a smokescreen for its own war plans.
"The people and its army are prepared for any provocations, any nuclear
war moves," it said.
It warned South Korea against relying on the US for protection which
would only make the country more vulnerable to an attack.
North Korea carried out its first nuclear test on October 9, sparking
international condemnation and UN Security Council sanctions.
South Korea says it will consider revising its policy of reconciliation
toward the North to bring it more in line with international sanctions.
Under a joint military alliance, the US has reaffirmed its commitment to
extend a nuclear umbrella over South Korea amid an escalating nuclear
threat from North Korea.
Seoul reportedly wants Washington, which withdrew all its nuclear
weapons from the Korean peninsula in 1991, to elaborate on what types of
tactical nuclear weapons could be provided under the deterrent strategy.
South Korea gave up its quest for nuclear weapons in the 1970s under
strong US pressure.
The US has stationed tens of thousands of troops in South Korea ever
since the 1950-53 war sparked by an invasion from the North.