North Korea Says It's "Ready To Mobilize" Nuclear Deterrent

    story
    Image copyright: KCNA/Reuters [via Al Jazeera]

    The Facts

    • Kim Jong-un claimed on Wed. that North Korea is ready to use its nuclear war deterrent "accurately and promptly," while accusing the US of "demonizing" the country to justify "dangerous, illegal hostile acts."

    • Speaking at the 69th Korean War armistice anniversary event, he warned South Korea that their government and military would be destroyed in the case of pre-emptive strikes against Pyongyang.

    Show more

    The Spin

    Pro-establishment narrative

    North Korea's actions pose a severe threat to the stability of the Korean peninsula and the security of the rest of the world. The US has so far failed to negotiate with Pyongyang an end to nuclear weapons in exchange for humanitarian aid - it's time for some new ideas about how to resolve this threat.

    Washington Post

    Establishment-critical narrative

    Though Kim may seem like a madman, he's simply using the only leverage he has in dealing with South Korea and the US. His nuclear ambitions are designed to seek political gains and sanctions relief after successive American administrations derailed diplomatic routes to denuclearization.

    AntiWar

    Metaculus Prediction

    Establishment split

    CRITICAL

    PRO

    More neutral establishment stance articles