Provoking DPRK will not restore peace
Updated: 2016-03-09 08:49
By HU MINGYUAN(China Daily)
|
||||||||
Liu Jieyi, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, addresses the United Nations Security Council on the DPRK at the United Nations Headquarters in New York March 2, 2016.[Photo/Agencies] |
The Democratic People's Republic of Korea on Monday warned of preemptive nuclear strikes against the United States and the Republic of Korea in response to their joint military exercise, which began on the same day and will continue to run through April 30. Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have been rising after Pyongyang conducted its fourth nuclear test two months ago and launched a long-range rocket on Feb 7. In a show of defiance against the harsh sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council on March 2, the DPRK fired six short-range projectiles into the sea a day later. The latest UN resolution broadens the scope of financial sanctions and arms embargo on the DPRK, demanding that the country abandon all its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and disassemble its nuclear weapons and weapons of mass destruction.
The US and the ROK have reiterated that their joint military drill, codenamed "Key Resolve" and "Foal Eagle", is routine and defense-focused, and they still want to convey a message of deterrence to the DPRK and other parties, in order to maintain regional security.
In fact, the joint exercise, reported to be conducted on the largest-ever scale involving a slew of cutting-edge weapons, has brought the peninsula one step closer to regional conflicts. To "deal with" Pyongyang's recent nuclear test and satellite launch, Washington has been expediting its military deployment on the Korean Peninsula. The US military sent a long-range B-52 bomber and later four F-22 fighter jets, which are all capable of carrying nuclear bombs, over the ROK's airspace after the DPRK launched the long-range rocket last month.
Many navy vessels such as the USS John C. Stennis, a US nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, are also reportedly in position to take part in the joint drill, in an apparent warning to Pyongyang. The US is said to also mobilize some 17,000 troops, more than double the number of previous years, and deploy a combat aviation brigade and an expeditionary Marine brigade for the drill.
More worryingly, the US and the ROK started formal talks on Friday on the deployment in the ROK of a sophisticated US missile defense system, also known as the Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense.
- Global health entering new era: WHO chief
- Brazil's planning minister steps aside after recordings revelation
- Vietnam, US adopt joint statement on advancing comprehensive partnership
- European border closures 'inhumane': UN refugee agency
- Japan's foreign minister calls A-bombings extremely regrettable
- Fukushima impact unprecedented for oceans: US expert
- Stars of Lijiang River: Elderly brothers with white beards
- Wealthy Chinese children paying money to learn British manners
- Military-style wedding: Fighter jets, grooms in dashing uniforms
- Striking photos around the world: May 16 - May 22
- Robots help elderly in nursing home in east China
- Hanging in the air: Chongqing holds rescue drill
- 2.1-ton tofu finishes in two hours in central China
- Six things you may not know about Grain Buds
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Anti-graft campaign targets poverty relief |
Cherry blossom signal arrival of spring |
In pictures: Destroying fake and shoddy products |
China's southernmost city to plant 500,000 trees |
Cavers make rare finds in Guangxi expedition |
Cutting hair for Longtaitou Festival |
Today's Top News
Liang avoids jail in shooting death
China's finance minister addresses ratings downgrade
Duke alumni visit Chinese Embassy
Marriott unlikely to top Anbang offer for Starwood: Observers
Chinese biopharma debuts on Nasdaq
What ends Jeb Bush's White House hopes
Investigation for Nicolas's campaign
Will US-ASEAN meeting be good for region?
US Weekly
Geared to go |
The place to be |