North Korea has issued a stern warning to the Pacific region, threatening to turn the ocean into a ‘firing range’. This comes after the country conducted its latest missile test on Thursday, the first since July 4th.
The missile test was the latest in a series of provocations from the regime, which have included threats to launch missiles near Guam, a US territory in the Pacific. In response to the latest test, North Korea warned that it could turn the Pacific into a ‘firing range’ if provoked.
In a statement, the North Korean government said: “We will never allow the US to threaten us with its missile and atomic weapons and turn the Pacific into a theatre of war.” The statement also said that the country will continue to develop its nuclear weapons program, despite international condemnation. The US has condemned the missile test, calling it “reckless and provocative”. US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said the test was “disappointing” and urged North Korea to “cease these missile tests”. He also said that the US would never accept North Korea as a nuclear power.
The US has been working with China and other countries to put pressure on North Korea to abandon its nuclear program. China, a key ally of North Korea, has condemned the missile tests and urged the regime to “exercise restraint”. The situation in the Pacific remains tense, and US and South Korean forces are on high alert. The US has already deployed additional troops and military hardware to the region, and is ready to respond to any further provocations from North Korea.
Despite the tensions, experts believe that the North Korean regime is unlikely to carry out its threats, as the consequences would be too severe. However, the regime’s aggressive rhetoric and provocative actions have raised fears of a potential conflict in the Pacific. Only time will tell if North Korea will continue to issue threats, or if cooler heads will prevail. In the meantime, the US and its allies will be watching closely for any further provocations from the regime.