South Korea warns of "crushing response" if the "North" uses nuclear weapons

A visitor walks past wire fences decorated with messages wishing for the reunification of the two Koreas.

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South Korea reacted sharply yesterday to a new law passed by North Korea on pre-emptive nuclear strikes.

South Korea's deputy defense ministry spokesman, Colonel Moon Hong-sik, said yesterday that if North Korea tries to use nuclear weapons, it will face a "crushing response from South Korea's military alliance with the United States, and thus enter the path of self-destruction."

The spokesman explained that South Korea wants to strengthen deterrence against the nuclear threats from North Korea through close cooperation with Washington.

He cited plans to establish a strategic command, as well as the South Korean system of pre-emptive strikes and missile defense.

The Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea recently approved a law on nuclear policy, following a series of tests of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads, since the beginning of the year.

The law provides, among other things, for the use of nuclear weapons, not only as a deterrent, but also preemptively in the event of a threat of an attack on the country's leadership.

The spokesman said Seoul's goal remains the complete "denuclearization" of North Korea.

US negotiations with North Korea over its nuclear program have made no progress since the failed summit between the two countries in February 2019.

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