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Tensions on the Korean Peninsula

North Korea warns US taking dangerous step towards nuclear war

North Korea’s Foreign Ministry says the US is taking a dangerous step towards nuclear war by seeking a naval blockade, according to the state news agency KCNA

© EPA-EFE/KCNA, archive

MOSCOW, December 14. /TASS/. Washington has been taking dangerous steps pushing the situation to the brink of a nuclear war, North Korea’s Central News Agency (KCNA) said on Thursday, citing a spokesman for the country’s Foreign Ministry.

"The gang of Trump is taking an extremely dangerous and big step towards the nuclear war by recklessly seeking the naval blockade against our country," the spokesman said. "Should the US and its followers try to enforce the naval blockade against our country, we will see it as an act of war and respond with merciless self-defensive counter-measures as we have warned repeatedly," he added.

Read also

Putin calls Tillerson’s remarks about dialogue with North Korea very good signal

Korean Peninsula situation

The situation on the Korean Peninsula remains tense as Pyongyang continues to develop its nuclear and missile programs, while Seoul and Washington hold joint military drills.

On November 29, North Korea conducted a missile launch, the first since September 15. After the launch, Pyongyang announced that the Hwasong-15 missile was capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, while the entire US territory was within its range.

In early December, South Korea and the US carried out joint drills dubbed the Vigilant Ace 18. North Korea’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement strongly condemning the drills and noting that Washington’s campaign to demonize Pyongyang was leading to a war, while North Korea only "pursues a legitimate and fair aim by strengthening its means of nuclear deterrence."

Meanwhile, South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency said that Seoul and Washington planned neither military actions nor a naval blockade against Pyongyang.

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Situation on the Korean Peninsula

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