SEOUL, South Korea, July 26 — The Korean War ended 50 years ago, yet tensions remain high amid suspicion that North Korea is developing nuclear weapons. In a reminder of uneasiness along the world’s most heavily armed border, the communist country Saturday warned of a new war.
THE WARNING CAME ahead of the 50th anniversary Sunday of the armistice that ended the 1950-53 armed conflict on the world’s last remaining Cold War frontier.
“The arrogant and outrageous moves of the U.S. imperialists to stifle the DPRK by force are being carried into extremes,” North Korea’s army Chief of the General Staff Kim Yong Chun said.
North Korea “will promptly beat back any precision strike, surgical operation-style strike and pre-emptive nuclear attack with the powerful war deterrent force,” Kim said.
U.S. officials believe North Korea already has one or two nuclear bombs, and has programs that can build several more atomic bombs within in a matter of months.
The United States and its allies want North Korea to end such programs.
Pyongyang, however, accuses Washington of inciting the dispute to use as an excuse for an invasion. Washington wants a diplomatic solution, but has not ruled out military options.
“A diplomatic solution is imperative,” said United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan in a statement released Saturday to mark the upcoming anniversary. “It is also a realistic possibility.”
