SEOUL, March 7. /TASS/. If the US attempts to shoot down a North Korean intercontinental missile in the Pacific Ocean during its test launch, it will be perceived as a declaration of war by Pyongyang, the North Korean leader’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, said.
"If someone were to intercept our strategic weapons during their being tested in the open sea and airspace outside of US jurisdiction in a situation that does not pose a threat to the security of neighboring countries, we will consider it a declaration of war against North Korea," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim Yo-jong as saying.
"We also remind everyone that our military’s protocol for such a situation has been outlined," she added. As the news agency explained, a South Korean media outlet reported a few days ago that the head of the US Pacific Command (USPACOM) had said in February that the US would shoot down any North Korean intercontinental ballistic missile that is launched into the Pacific Ocean. Kim Yo-jong, deputy head of the Publicity and Information Department of the Workers' Party of Korea, slammed such statements as unacceptable, "unnecessary and insane", but did not rule out that the remark may have been taken out of context.
"But even if it’s untrue, I issue a preventive clear warning. The Pacific Ocean is not US or Japanese territory," she stressed. Kim Yo-jong said that it would be "interesting" to see the US’ reaction to North Korean "strategic weapons" interception in the Pacific, which the US considered "its backyard". She advised South Korean and US officials to refrain from such rhetoric and actions that escalate the situation.
"Demonstrative military activities and all kinds of statements by the US and South Korea, which are so outlandish that they cannot be ignored, no doubt force North Korea to take retaliatory measures," the statement said. North Korea’s leadership is keeping an eye on US and South Korean servicemen and is "ready to take necessary measures quickly and decisively at any time on its own initiative," Kim Jong-un’s sister said.