North Korea "Guarantees Minimum Cost Maximum Deterrence of Nuclear Combat Power... Strengthening Nuclear Forces"

Ministry of Foreign Affairs "Guarantee to Prevent War"
Also Defends Russia's Suspension of New START

On the 4th, the North Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through researcher Gu Yeong-cheol of the Institute for Disarmament and Peace Studies, argued that their "nuclear deterrent is a strong physical guarantee to ensure the balance of power in the region and prevent the outbreak of new wars."

The Ministry stated, "The international disarmament system has become ineffective due to the unilateral military buildup maneuvers by the United States and its allied forces, increasing the risk of armed conflict on the Korean Peninsula."

It added, "The most reliable way to credibly counter the all-encompassing military threats arising from the deployment of U.S. overseas invasion forces in the Asia-Pacific region, new military posture adjustments, and the excessive military expansion and buildup maneuvers by U.S. allied forces including South Korea and Japan, is to strengthen our nuclear forces."

Chairman Kim Jong-un's Speech Appearance [Image Source=Yonhap News]

It continued, "Possessing nuclear combat power that can effectively respond to any military buildup maneuvers by the United States and its allied forces, who squander astronomical amounts on military spending, is the best strategy to guarantee maximum military deterrence at minimal cost."

The Ministry claimed that Russia's suspension of participation in the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) with the United States is entirely the responsibility of the United States.

The Ministry said, "The main culprit driving the collapse crisis of the international disarmament system is none other than the United States and its followers," adding, "While loudly proclaiming the establishment of a so-called 'rules-based international order,' the United States shamelessly breaks the international disarmament system for its unjust interests."

Furthermore, it stated, "The reckless military buildup maneuvers by the United States and its allied forces, which escalate regional tensions to secure their hegemonic status, are most prominently manifested on the Korean Peninsula, a global hotspot."

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on the 28th of last month formalizing the decision to suspend participation in New START. This treaty, concluded in 2010, aims to reduce the number of nuclear warheads (1,550) and delivery vehicles (700) of both the United States and Russia to certain limits and includes regular inspections of nuclear facilities by both parties.