Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

North Korea’s Aggressive Rhetoric Sparks U.S. Concerns of Impending Military Action

Eugene Park Views  

김정은 북한 국무위원장이 참석한 가운데 조선노동당 중앙위원회 제8기 제19차 정치국 확대회의가 지난 23∼24일 열렸다. 사진=조선중앙통신 연합뉴스
Kim Jong Un was at the 19th Expanded Political Bureau Meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea on the 23rd and 24th. Photo=Korean Central News Agency Yonhap News

Recently, evaluations have emerged suggesting that North Korea’s threats toward the Korean Peninsula have crossed a dangerous threshold, leading American officials to predict the possibility of lethal military action within weeks.

According to The New York Times (NYT) on the 25th (local time), U.S. officials are concerned that Kim Jong Un, Chairman of the State Affairs Commission of North Korea’s recent hardline stance, appears to be part of a “provocation” pattern. Still, the level of aggression is higher than in previous statements.

Officials argue that they should take these provocations seriously and prepare countermeasures. Although they do not foresee a full-scale war in the Korean Peninsula, they point out the possibility of an attack in a way that avoids a rapid escalation of tension.

The NYT cited the Yeonpyeong Island shelling incident in November 2010 as an example. It was an incident where 4 people, including 2 marines, were fuelled due to North Korea’s artillery provocation.

North Korea’s aggressive actions have been increasing in frequency. Most recently, on the 24th, they test-fired a new strategic cruise missile, Bulhwasal-3-31, and on the 14th, they launched an ultra-sonic medium-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

On the 5th of this month, the North Korean military fired 200 rounds of coastal artillery, mainly at sea near the Northern Limit Line (NLL) in the West Sea. In response, the Marine Corps countered with over 400 rounds of fire from K9 self-propelled guns and tank guns.

At the same time, Kim, in his policy speech at the Supreme People’s Assembly on the 15th, stated that the expressions “self-reliance, peaceful reunification, and national solidarity” in the constitution should also be deleted and the concepts of “reunification, reconciliation, and kinship” should be removed entirely. He also ordered the demolition of the Three Charters for National Reunification monument, which he called an ‘eyesore’ at the southern gate of the capital, Pyongyang.

In response to these actions, U.S. officials said that even though North Korea’s wide-ranging strategy is to create anxiety, the threat has crossed a dangerous threshold, and there is an unprecedented level of cooperation between Russia and North Korea, so they should prepare for military action.

Jonathan Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor of the National Security Council (NSC) at the White House, pointed out at the Asia Society Policy Institute forum held in Washington that day, “North Korea has chosen to continue going down a very negative path.”

Daniel Russel, Vice President for International Security and Diplomacy at the Asia Society Policy Institute, argued that recent remarks by Kim show an intention to attack beyond the 2010 Yeonpyeong Island shelling, saying, “We must prepare for the possibility of Kim Jong Un taking shocking physical action.”

Eugene Park
content@www.kangnamtimes.com

Comments0

300

Comments0

[KOREA] Latest Stories

  • MrBeast Effect: How His Surprise Cameo Shakes Up YouTube
  • Rob Schneider's Stand-Up Scandal: Actor's Racially Insensitive Remarks Shock Politicians
  • FIFTY FIFTY: Second Phase and Comeback in the Works
  • Seoul City Threatens to Cut Power to Controversial Adult Video Festival
  • 'City Fisherman' Season 5 Wraps Up with Thrilling Final Showdown
  • Genesis Magma Division Sets New Standards in Performance

Weekly Best Articles

  • California Police Frustrated by Tesla Model 3: Too Cramped, Not Practical
  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist
  • THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution
  • Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    G-Dragon’s Secret Addiction? The K-pop Star Can’t Stop Watching Dating Shows

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Chef Triple Star Shows Up at Event Despite Explosive Cheating and Embezzlement Claims

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Jaehyun Joins the Military—Here’s What Happens to His Career While He’s Away

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    BMW M3 to Feature 600 HP Mild Hybrid Powertrain—No Plug-in Hybrid Here!

    TECH 

  • 3
    Subaru BRZ Purple Edition: Only 500 Units Available in North America for $35,445

    TECH 

  • 4
    Brazil’s Beloved Nivus Gets a Facelift: New GTS Model Starts at $24,480

    TECH 

  • 5
    Tesla’s Roadster Returns: 621 Miles on One Charge and Insane Speed

    TECH 

Weekly Best Articles

  • California Police Frustrated by Tesla Model 3: Too Cramped, Not Practical
  • Trump vs. Harris: Which U.S. Election Outcome Will Boost Stocks the Most?
  • Kim Sejeong on Kiss Scene Prep: ‘It’s Like Laying the Foundation for a Building!’
  • Kim Tae Ri’s Character Faces Devastating Setback in ‘Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born’
  • Lee Seung Gi Goes Bald! Shocking Change for His Role in ‘About Family’
  • Man Who Sponsored $1.2M to Streamer Juice Se Yeon Says She Blocked Him After Scandals
  • BTS Music Video Star and Tattoo Model Kim Woo Young Remembered 6 Years Later
  • Outback’s Last Ride: Subaru Launches 30th Anniversary Edition with Exclusive Features
  • Chrysler’s 2025 SUV: A Glimpse into the Future of Electric Vehicles
  • Fiat’s ‘Ugliest Car’ Makes a Comeback with Hyundai’s Pixel Design Twist
  • THIS is the Country Jensen Huang Thinks Will Lead the AI Revolution
  • Volkswagen Shutting Down German Plant for the First Time Ever—Big Layoffs Expected

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Kim Nam Gil Spills Secrets About The Fiery Priest 2—Why Fans Should Be Excited

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    Google's Tax Tricks: How They Pay Pennies on Billions in Korean Revenue

    BUSINESS 

  • 3
    BJ Juice Se Yeon Deletes ‘Suspicious’ Photo with Kim Haon—Fans Speculate Romance

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 4
    G-Dragon’s Secret Addiction? The K-pop Star Can’t Stop Watching Dating Shows

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 5
    Chef Triple Star Shows Up at Event Despite Explosive Cheating and Embezzlement Claims

    ENTERTAINMENT 

Popular Now

  • 1
    Jaehyun Joins the Military—Here’s What Happens to His Career While He’s Away

    ENTERTAINMENT 

  • 2
    BMW M3 to Feature 600 HP Mild Hybrid Powertrain—No Plug-in Hybrid Here!

    TECH 

  • 3
    Subaru BRZ Purple Edition: Only 500 Units Available in North America for $35,445

    TECH 

  • 4
    Brazil’s Beloved Nivus Gets a Facelift: New GTS Model Starts at $24,480

    TECH 

  • 5
    Tesla’s Roadster Returns: 621 Miles on One Charge and Insane Speed

    TECH 

Share it on...