SEOUL: North Korea reminded the US on Monday that it has nuclear weapons and warned it will strike back if attacked, as a US destroyer continued to trail a North Korean cargo ship suspected of carrying illicit weapons.
The Kang Nam, previously involved in weapons shipments, is the first vessel monitored under new UN sanctions adopted after the North’s nuclear test last month. It could become a test case for interception of North Korean ships at sea — something Pyongyang has said it would consider an act of war.
The Kang Nam appeared headed to Myanmar via Singapore, the South Korean news network YTN reported on Sunday. On Monday, North Korea’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper called it “nonsense” to say the country is a threat to the US. The paper also warned it is prepared to strike back if attacked. “As long as our country has become a proud nuclear power, the US should take a correct look at whom it is dealing with,” its said in commentary.
“It would be a grave mistake for the US to think it can remain unhurt if it ignites the fuse of war on the Korean peninsula.” A senior US military official said a navy ship, the USS John S. McCain, was close to the North Korean vessel but had no orders to intercept it and had not requested that authority.
The Kang Nam, previously involved in weapons shipments, is the first vessel monitored under new UN sanctions adopted after the North’s nuclear test last month. It could become a test case for interception of North Korean ships at sea — something Pyongyang has said it would consider an act of war.
The Kang Nam appeared headed to Myanmar via Singapore, the South Korean news network YTN reported on Sunday. On Monday, North Korea’s main Rodong Sinmun newspaper called it “nonsense” to say the country is a threat to the US. The paper also warned it is prepared to strike back if attacked. “As long as our country has become a proud nuclear power, the US should take a correct look at whom it is dealing with,” its said in commentary.
“It would be a grave mistake for the US to think it can remain unhurt if it ignites the fuse of war on the Korean peninsula.” A senior US military official said a navy ship, the USS John S. McCain, was close to the North Korean vessel but had no orders to intercept it and had not requested that authority.
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