Post by cammy on Jun 26, 2009 6:08:53 GMT 1
North Korea has warned of a "fire shower of nuclear retaliation" if the US acts to defend South Korea.
North Koreans participate in an anti-US rally beside an American ship in Pyongyang
The ominous claim was made in the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper, which also reported North Korea would "never give up its nuclear deterrent ... and will further strengthen it" as long as Washington remained hostile.
On the anniversary of the 1950 outbreak of the Korean War, the newspaper ran lengthy editorials accusing the US of invading the country 59 years ago.
It added that America was looking for an excuse to invade again.
The claims were made as the US Navy trailed a North Korean ship suspected of carrying weapons in violation of a United Nations resolution.
Following Pyongyang's nuclear test last month, the UN has required member states to request inspections of North Korean ships believed to be transporting banned weapons and related material.
North Korea has said it would consider interception of its ships a declaration of war.
The US has called for aggressive enforcement of the UN sanctions, but has repeatedly said it has no intention of attacking the North.
Meanwhile, reports about possible missile launches have heightened tension on the Korean peninsula.
The North has designated a no-sail zone off its east coast from June 25 to July 10 for military drills.
A senior South Korean government official said the shipping ban was thought to be connected to North Korean plans to fire short or mid-range missiles.
North Korea had warned previously that it would fire a long-range missile after the UN condemned a rocket launch it made in April.
North Koreans participate in an anti-US rally beside an American ship in Pyongyang
The ominous claim was made in the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper, which also reported North Korea would "never give up its nuclear deterrent ... and will further strengthen it" as long as Washington remained hostile.
On the anniversary of the 1950 outbreak of the Korean War, the newspaper ran lengthy editorials accusing the US of invading the country 59 years ago.
It added that America was looking for an excuse to invade again.
The claims were made as the US Navy trailed a North Korean ship suspected of carrying weapons in violation of a United Nations resolution.
Following Pyongyang's nuclear test last month, the UN has required member states to request inspections of North Korean ships believed to be transporting banned weapons and related material.
North Korea has said it would consider interception of its ships a declaration of war.
The US has called for aggressive enforcement of the UN sanctions, but has repeatedly said it has no intention of attacking the North.
Meanwhile, reports about possible missile launches have heightened tension on the Korean peninsula.
The North has designated a no-sail zone off its east coast from June 25 to July 10 for military drills.
A senior South Korean government official said the shipping ban was thought to be connected to North Korean plans to fire short or mid-range missiles.
North Korea had warned previously that it would fire a long-range missile after the UN condemned a rocket launch it made in April.