North Korea Admits Its Terrified by Possibility of Pre-emptive Strike by US

North Korea Admits Its Terrified by Possibility of Pre-emptive Strike by US
A screen in Pyongyang shows news coverage of a North Korean missile launch on Aug. 30, 2017. (KIM WON-JIN/AFP/Getty Images)
Jasper Fakkert
11/16/2017
Updated:
11/18/2017

An increasingly isolated North Korea is raising concerns about the possibility of a pre-emptive nuclear strike by the United States.

The unusual statement was published by the North Korean regime’s Pyongyang Times newspaper on Nov. 14.

“The US can make a preemptive nuclear attack on the DPRK without a parliamentary approval in case Trump deems it necessary,” the North Korean state media said.
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Jim Mattis testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Oct. 30 on the president’s authority.
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Gen. Jim Mattis arrive for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on October 30, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Defense Secretary Gen. Jim Mattis arrive for a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on October 30, 2017. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Mattis said that under Article 2 of the Constitution, the president has the authority to strike North Korea in the scenario of a direct attack by the communist regime or if an attack is imminent.

Tillerson testified on the importance for the United States to retain the ability to strike first as a deterrent.

“One of the strengths of the last 70 years has been the deterrence—the fact that no president, republican or democrat, has ever foresworn the first strike capability, that has served us for 70 years,” he said.

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) had introduced a bill that would require congressional approval for any preemptive strike against North Korea.

North Korean missiles on display in a military parade in Pyongyang on April 15, 2017. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)
North Korean missiles on display in a military parade in Pyongyang on April 15, 2017. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

However, the threat of a preemptive strike appears to have the desired effect on the rogue regime.

Clearly thrown off balance by the threat, the Pyongyang Times wrote, “no US administration has openly claimed a preemptive attack on the DPRK as now.”

Trump has taken a different approach from previous U.S. administrations to North Korea. While previous administrations reached agreements with North Korea that the regime subsequently broke with little consequence, Trump has demanded the complete denuclearization of the regime.

The head of the U.S. military’s Pacific Command, Admiral Harry Harris, said on Nov. 16 that the strategy involves diplomatic actions with a credible military threat.

“While diplomacy must be the main effort with North Korea, it has to be diplomacy backed by credible military power,” said Harris.

U.S. Pacific Command commander Admiral Harry B Harris in Singapore on Oct. 17, 2017. (ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
U.S. Pacific Command commander Admiral Harry B Harris in Singapore on Oct. 17, 2017. (ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/Getty Images)
In a separate article published by North Korean state media on the same day, it expressed worry about America increasing spending on and updating its military.

Under Trump, the United States has sharply increased its military spending. On Tuesday, the House passed a nearly $700 billion defense bill.

Among other things, the bill authorizes the acquisition of 90 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and 24 Navy F/A-18 Super Hornets. It also authorizes 13 new warships.

North Korean media said Trump is creating a “ferocious war monster,” adding, “The Korean peninsula and the Asia-Pacific are teetering on the brink of nuclear war.”

Two Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealth fighter jets fly to the Avalon Airshow in Victoria, Australia, on March 3, 2017. (Australian Defence Force/Handout via Reuters)
Two Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealth fighter jets fly to the Avalon Airshow in Victoria, Australia, on March 3, 2017. (Australian Defence Force/Handout via Reuters)

The North Korean regime is known for its frequent threats of using nuclear weapons against the United States and its allies, Japan and South Korea.

However, under increased economic sanctions, and a credible military threat, it appears the North is faltering.

Multiple reports from within North Korea confirm that the economic sanctions are biting and that there’s a severe shortage of fuel supplies.

Trump rallied the support from a number of Asian nations, including China, during his 12-day Asia tour. China sent a special envoy to North Korea on Nov. 16, an action described by Trump as a “major move.”

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Jasper Fakkert is the Editor-in-chief of the U.S. editions of The Epoch Times. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication Science and a Master's degree in Journalism. Twitter: @JasperFakkert
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