North Korea vows to boost nuclear deterrent

REUTERS

SEOUL: Isolated North Korea stepped up its war of words against the United States today vowing to boost its nuclear deterrent after Washington warned Pyongyang of further sanctions if it did not abandon its atomic programme.

The North’s foreign ministry spokesman said via the official KCNA news agency that it would “bolster its nuclear deterrent as long as the US was continuing with its hostile policies” and that it planned “counter measures” following pressure from Washington.

Last week, world leaders meeting in the United States said the isolated North needed to adhere to international norms on nuclear issues and said it would face more isolation if it “continues down the path of provocation”.

Under new leader Kim Jong-un, North Korea launched a long range rocket in April, breaking an agreement with the US that would have traded food aid for access to its nuclear facilities, among other things.

Many experts now believe the reclusive North is preparing for a third nuclear test, and could even use highly enriched uranium for the first time. Experts say the North already has enough fissile material from plutonium for at least six nuclear bombs.

U S Special Representative for North Korea Policy Glyn Davies told reporters in Seoul yesterday that North Korea could expect “a swift and sure” reaction by the international community if it undertook further hostile actions.

Davies was holding talks with his Chinese counterpart in Beijing today.

China is North Korea’s sole major economic and diplomatic backer and even it has put pressure on Pyongyang to back down on plans for a nuclear test.

Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, was sceptical that the latest rhetoric from Pyongyang signalled a nuclear test was imminent. “North Korea is simply saying: Don’t agitate or provoke us,” he said.

Recent satellite imagery published by IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, a specialist defence publication, showed there had been more work at the site of previous nuclear tests that could indicate the North was preparing for its third nuclear test.

“A third nuclear test by North Korea would be the latest move in restarting its nuclear weapons programme, which it agreed to mothball in a 29 February deal with the US,” said Janes analyst James Hardy.

Since the death of Kim Jong-il in December, Kim Jong-un, believed to be in his late 20s, has shown he will continue with his father’s hardline “military first” policy.