North Korea Threatens Military Action Against the US

In response to a U.S. deployment of the THAAD missile system (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) in South Korea, North Korea has said that they will use military force against the United States.

Such threats are not uncommon as North Korea has repeatedly threatened to attack both Seoul and Washington ever since the beginning of the Kim family dynasty.

While most analysts consider these threats to be devoid of any real intent and largely meant for domestic propaganda purposes, North Korea, in the past, has attacked South Korea on multiple occasions. In 2010, a North Korean submarine sank a South Korean naval vessel called the Cheonan as it approached a contested area near the Yellow Sea, causing the death of 46 South Korean sailors. Another incident, occurring on November 23, 2010, began with the North Korean shelling of a South Korean island called Yeonpyeong where both military and civilian targets were hit, resulting in the death of four South Koreans and 22 being injured.

The deployment of the THAAD missile system in South Korea has not only upset the North Koreans, but the Chinese as well. China has expressed concerns over the intentions for placing such a system on the Korean Peninsula, fearful that the air defense system will hinder their ballistic capabilities in the region.

The North Korean military has responded by saying:

“It is the unwavering will of our army to deal a ruthless retaliatory strike and turn (the South) into a sea of fire and a pile of ashes the moment we have an order to carry it out. There will be physical response measures from us as soon as the location and time that the invasionary tool for U.S. world supremacy, THAAD, will be brought into South Korea,” insisting that they will follow through with their promises.

It is highly unlikely, however, that the North Koreans will respond to the U.S. as the parity between both nations, militarily, is disproportionate. The United States’ military is considered to be vastly superior to the North Korean military, a military which still uses antiquated military equipment from the Korean War in the 1950s.

As with other instances where the North Korean military has threatened to take military action against the U.S., South Korea, or Japan, one shouldn’t expect to see anything more than harsh statements being published by the DPRK regime. While many would consider the North Korean regime to be irrational, they understand that the longevity of their regime depends on their actions in the international community. Essentially, they have mastered the game of walking a tightrope, careful not to push the envelope too far.

Featured Image via Pixibay/Etereuti