Resolute countermeasures needed against N. Korean nuclear threats

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un made a declaration, by saying, "For the national defense, we shall have all nuclear warheads ready to launch at any time for an actual war. Now we will set our military response to our enemies in a preemptive mode." This is a threat that North Korea can launch preemptive strikes to Korea and the U.S. with the deployed nuclear weapon. Such an aggressive declaration made by the leader of a country is very rare in the international community. Kim probably wanted to express his discontentment on the Korea-US joint military exercise and the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2270 against North Korea. However, this should not be considered as mere bluffing if he is actually capable of pushing the button.

Kim probably feels anxious about losing his regime, being cornered by the international community. When he said, "As the enemies are holding onto their last gambling such as 'decapitation strike' and 'regime collapse,' the circumstance is so acrimonious that we cannot watch it anymore," he was perhaps aware of the crisis. Therefore, we should not rule out the possibility of Kim's trying something reckless that would only lead to self-destruction just like a cornered rat bites a cat.

The biggest-scale ever Korea-U.S. joint military exercise that starts from next Monday includes a scenario when the joint force attacks Pyongyang. If North Korea shows any signs of nuclear provocation, the joint force will preemptively strike North Korea's headquarter as well as its nuclear and missile facilities. However, if North Korea launches nuclear missiles first, we do not have a right defense mechanism. That is why "Kill Chain" and the Korean Air and Missile Defense (KAMD) system, which are scheduled to commence in 2020, should be advanced as early as possible. Also, strategic platforms such as U.S. nuclear submarines should be deployed near the Korean Peninsula at all times in order to improve the nuclear deterrence.

Korea and the U.S. launched a joint working group on Friday for discussions on the U.S. Forces Korea deployment under the THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system. The bilateral discussion had been delayed due to a strong disagreement from China. If China feels uncomfortable with the THAAD, China should join hands to make Kim Jong Un give up the nuclear weapon by persuading him or pressing him. Such defense measures including the THAAD are inevitable when Kim himself is making threats. We cannot defend our country with such a complacent attitude while thinking that Kim will not start a war. This crisis that the peninsula is facing is not a drill, but a real situation.

한기흥기자 eligius@donga.com