North Korea will use its nuclear weapons to "eliminate" the South Korean army in the event of a preemptive attack by Seoul: is the warning of Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of the leader Kim Jong-un, spread by the state media, the second launched in three days by Pyongyang against comments last week by Southern Defense Chief Suh Wook on the military capabilities of its armed forces.

The stance of Kim's sister, increasingly central to the country's power structures, came just when North Korea resumed tests on weapons that violate international sanctions and UN resolutions, launching the first intercontinental missile since 2017.

Suh Wook said on Friday that the South Korean military had missiles with "the ability to accurately and quickly hit any target in North Korea if there are obvious signs of missile launches."

In response, Kim Yo Jong reiterated that it was a "very serious mistake" for the "madman" Suh to have discussed a preemptive strike against a nuclear power.

"In the event that South Korea opts for a military confrontation with us, our nuclear fighting force will inevitably have to perform its duty," said the leader's sister, adding that the "main mission" of her nuclear potential. Country was to act as a deterrent, but should an armed conflict break out, such weapons will be used to "eliminate the attacking enemy armed forces."

In this climate of tension, the expectation rises for April 15, when North Korea will celebrate the 110th anniversary of the birth of the founder Kim Il-sung, Kim's grandfather. The birthday of what is called the "eternal president" is an event that Pyongyang usually celebrates with massive military parades, major weapons tests or satellite launches.

(Unioneonline / L)

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