N. Korea warns of nuclear war if attacked

By JOSEPH COLEMAN, Associated Press Writer 51 minutes ago

SEOUL, South Korea -

North Korea would respond to a pre-emptive U.S. military attack with an "annihilating strike and a nuclear war," the state-run media said Monday, heightening anti-U.S. rhetoric amid close scrutiny of its missile program.

The Korean Central News Agency, citing an unidentified Rodong Sinmun newspaper "analyst," accused the United States of increasing military pressure on the isolated communist state and basing new spy planes on the Korean Peninsula.

The North Korean threat of retaliation, which is often voiced by its state-controlled media, comes amid U.S. official reports that Pyongyang has shown signs of preparing for a test of a long-range missile. North Korea claims it has the right to such a launch.

On Friday, Pyongyang accused the United States of driving the situation on the Korean Peninsula "to the brink of war," and said it is fully prepared to counter any U.S. aggression.

Monday's report accused Washington of escalating military pressure on the country with war exercises, a massive arms buildup and aerial espionage by basing new spy planes in South Korea.

"This is a grave military provocation and blackmail to the DPRK, being an indication that the U.S. is rapidly pushing ahead in various fields with the extremely dangerous war moves," the dispatch said.

"The army and people of the DPRK are now in full preparedness to answer a pre-emptive attack with a relentless annihilating strike and a nuclear war with a mighty nuclear deterrent," the report said.

DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

North Korea routinely accuses the U.S. of aerial espionage, issuing a tally of such flights at the end of every month. The U.S. military doesn't comment, although it acknowledges monitoring North Korean military activity.

Washington and Japan have said in recent weeks that spy satellite images show North Korea has taken steps to prepare a long-range Taepodong-2 missile for a test-launch.

Estimates for the range of the missile vary widely, but at least one U.S. study said it could be able to reach parts of the United States with a light payload.

Speculation that Pyongyang could fire the missile has waned in recent days since the country's top ally and a major source of its energy supplies, China, reportedly urged North Korea not to go ahead with the test.

Meanwhile, a South Korean government official said Seoul is considering buying U.S. shipborne SM-2 missiles to bolster its missile-defense system.

The move is the latest by South Korea and Japan to strengthen their defenses amid signs of the North Korean missile test. Seoul announced last week the purchase of Patriot interceptor missiles from Germany.

SM-2 missiles, however, are reportedly effective against cruise missiles and at striking aircraft but would not be able to hit a long-range missile.

"I understand that we have requested information" on the missiles for purchase, said Park Sung-soo, an official at the Defense Acquisition Program Administration, without elaborating.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the possible sale last week, according to its Web site. The order would be for 48 SM-2 Block IIIB tactical standard missiles and associated equipment and training.

The agency estimated the cost at $111 million.

South Korea would use the missiles to defend its new KDX-III AEGIS destroyer, and already uses SM-2 Block IIIA missiles in its ship combat systems, the agency said. The prime contractor will be Raytheon Systems Company of Tucson, Ariz., the agency said.

In early June, the Pentagon notified Congress that the U.S. could sell Japan nine upgraded SM-3 missiles and related equipment for use on their AEGIS destroyers. The price tag was put at up to $438 million.

Japan already has four AEGIS destroyers operating with SM-2 missiles, and two more are under construction, the Pentagon said.

Last week, officials said that South Korea had notified Germany of its interest in buying Patriot interceptor missiles, with the aim of replacing its outdated Nike-Hercules missiles by 2010.

The Nike-Hercules missiles have served as South Korea's main anti-aircraft weapons for some 40 years, but the Patriot missiles are more advanced at intercepting and destroying incoming ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and enemy aircraft.

South Korea's military as yet has no Patriots, although some are already deployed on U.S. bases in the country, where about 29,500 U.S. troops are stationed as a deterrent against communist North Korea.

why halo thar wall of text.

Well this is great.

Lol, Korea killes 10,000 US cits, we destroy their whole country in an unholy ball of fire. Actually, neutron bomb ftw.

We got gay bombs too. :fag: LOLOLOL.

You guys know by the time we get nuked or we nuke them. Whoever nukes first starts or gets a nucleur winter inch even closer and when that happens think Day after Tomorrow but will a whole lot more snow and climate change.

Holy shit... that post made no fucking sense.

:lol:

Maybe he had a 3rd of July bash. :drunk:

You think Necro has friends to do stuff with? Maybe hes just retarded.

That's definitly a possibility.

And he was talking about JP idiot.
Reading comprehension FTW

I think this missle can barely reach the Western coast of United States...



You guys may shrug it off or whatever, but I live in San Diego :ugh:

I never said that I was smart. :ENGLISH:

poor poor America...

sarcasm is deadly shadow..

korea are to pussy to do anything cause they'll get fucked up pretty badly

:ENGLISH: We're closer to Korea.

[I think we should make that emoticon point to a world map...Then we have :GEOGRAPHY:]

lol agreed dood!
and a smiley of an Aussie standing on world quoting 'we noobed america'

yes, that would go down nicely in this place..

*required*

Anywho...Here we have it :GEOGRAPHY:

North Korea knows and understands that them having the bomb gives them an extra layer of security against Western imperialism. Looking at it from a neutral standpoint, it's perfectly understandable that they would want the bomb, and threaten to use it if attacked first. And do take note that the threat was if they were pre-emptively attacked by the West.

Don't we have laser defence systems or something like that? some laser that shoots down missles.....

:GEOGRAPHY:

adam, you do realise that if a nuclear war breaks out then it will affect the whole world right?

Don't bother with even a semi-intelligent conversation with him.

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahaha


The Star Wars Project (SDI- Strategic Defense Initiative) failed miserably. Ronald Reagan had pipe dreams.

whole world!!
what the!!! :unsure: :unsure: :unsure:


<_< yes, i am aware of that, but if a war was to break out i think i'd prefer living right here..
*rests feet on table and drinks champagne :happydance: *




:patriot:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13704198/

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