North Korea approves deployment of war deterrent measures

Tuan Tran• DNUM_BCZADZCACD 15:06

North Korean media said the country's government has decided to take "important and practical measures to deter war."

The North Korean state news agency KCNA said today (March 12) that the decision was made at the 5th Enlarged Conference of the 8th Central Military Commission of the Workers' Party of Korea, chaired by leader Kim Jong-un.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (center) at the conference. Photo: KCNA

“The conference discussed and adopted important practical steps for more effective, powerful and offensive use of the country’s war deterrent in the face of the current situation where the provocative actions of the US and South Korea are approaching the red line,” the statement released by KCNA said.

However, the statement did not specify what measures the Pyongyang government would take to respond to provocations from Seoul and Washington.

According to Yonhap news agency, the announcement was made by North Korean media in the context of the US and South Korea holding the 11-day "Freedom Shield" exercise, starting tomorrow (March 13). Pyongyang has long condemned the exercises of these two allies as "rehearsals for invasion".

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, also said earlier this week that joint military exercises between the US and South Korea were increasing tensions on the Korean peninsula.