Kim Jong-un inspects launch vehicle factory for new solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile “Hwasong-18” [사진출처 = 연합뉴스]
Are the rumors about a war crisis on the Korean Peninsula true?
According to numerous foreign media, on the 21st, experts have divergent opinions on the possibility of war on the Korean Peninsula, while North Korea’s provocations against South Korea continue.
Rumors of a crisis on the Korean Peninsula recently reached a fever pitch thanks to statements by North Korean National Defense Chairman Kim Jong-un.
In his speech to the Supreme People’s Assembly held in Pyongyang on the 15th, Chairman Kim said: “We must firmly point out that the Republic of Korea is the number one enemy and the main immutable enemy. “In the event of war, the issue of complete occupation and pacification of the Republic of Korea and its incorporation into the territory of the Republic must be reflected in the Constitution,” he said.
He also said: “Should our enemies ignite even a spark of war, the Republic will mobilize all its military might and resolutely punish our enemies.”
In connection with this, on the 17th (local time), John Plum, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for Space Policy, said: “We are seriously looking at North Korea’s warfare capabilities. “We’re making plans for that,” he said.
Robert Gallucci, professor emeritus at Georgetown University, in an article published in National Interest, a foreign affairs and security journal, warned: “We must keep in mind the idea that a nuclear war could break out in Northeast Asia in 2024.”
Professor Gallucci is an expert who led negotiations on North Korea as the US State Department’s special envoy for North Korean nuclear weapons during the “first North Korean nuclear crisis” in 1994.
Kim Geon, director of the Korean Peninsula Peace Negotiations Headquarters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (center), Jeong Jeong, senior U.S. State Department official for North Korea affairs (right), and Hiroyuki Namaz, director of the Asian and Oceanic Bureau of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hold hands ahead of a meeting between senior representatives of Korea, the United States and Japan on North Korean nuclear issues, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 18th. [사진출처 = 연합뉴스]
The British current affairs weekly The Economist has instead denied the rumors about war on the Korean peninsula, defining them as excessively exaggerated. The media reported on the 18th (local time): “It is true that North Korea’s warfare capabilities are increasing and its attitude towards South Korea is becoming more uncompromising, but none of this suggests that Chairman Kim wants really war.”
The media also added analysis that overreaction towards Kim Jong-un is more dangerous than his words.
A former German diplomat with experience in North Korea also agrees that rumors of war on the Korean Peninsula are exaggerated.
Former German Ambassador to North Korea Thomas Schaeffer said on the 17th (local time): “I do not agree with the statement that the war crisis on the Korean Peninsula is the most serious since 1950,” and stressed that “North Korea’s harsh situation. Posturing is a long-standing North Korea negotiating pattern.”
He added, “This is not the first time North Korea has mentioned the use of nuclear weapons and unification by force,” adding, “However, the frequency of high-level comments has only increased.” .
Former Ambassador Schaeffer worked in Pyongyang for nearly 10 years starting in 2007.
2024-01-21 08:20:44
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