DPRK threatens to launch pre-emptive strike against US -- china.org.cn

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has warned it would launch a pre-emptive attack against the United States.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) holds a conference of 100,000 people to condemn United Nations Security Council 1874 Resolution, in Pyongyang, in this photo released on June 15, 2009 by Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). [Xinhua]

Pak Jae Gyong, vice-minister of the DPRK People's Armed Forces, made the remark at a mass rally that attracted some 10,000 people to denounce a newly endorsed UN Security Council Resolution, the official KCNA news agency said Monday.

"Under the present situation where the Korean People's Army (KPA) is technically at war with the US imperialists, and as the Armistice Agreement has lost its legal binding force, the KPA will promptly exercise the right to a pre-emptive strike to beat back the enemies' slightest provocation," Pak said.

He threatened to deliver blows to the "vital parts of the US" and "wipe out all its imperialist aggressor troops no matter where they are in the world."

Meanwhile, Kim Ki Nam, secretary of the Central Committee of the Workers' Party of Korea, told the rally that the UN resolution was "another grave provocation".

"This is, in essence, a wicked pressure offensive launched by the US imperialists to disarm the DPRK, strangle its economy and undermine its ideology and system," Kim said.

The DPRK will respond to any attempt to blockade it with "resolute and deadly blows", he said.

The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved wider sanctions against the DPRK over its May 25 nuclear test.

The resolution bans all weapons exports from the DPRK and most arms imports into the country. It authorizes UN member states to inspect the DPRK's sea, air and land cargoes, requiring them to seize and destroy any goods transported in violation of the sanctions.

(Xinhua News Agency June 16, 2009)