Kim Jong Un Threatens the U.S. and South Korea with Preemptive Nuclear Strike

North Korea on Monday, March 6, threatened the U.S. and South Korea with a preemptive nuclear strike, stating that it would not make exceptions regarding the types of targets in such an attack. According to AFP, this threat from North Korea comes as the United States and South Korea began their largest annual joint military exercise on the same day. In this exercise, 300,000 South Korean soldiers and 17,000 U.S. troops, along with U.S. strategic ships and fighter jets, are participating. This military drill follows North Korea's fourth nuclear test conducted in January and a recent long-range missile test by Pyongyang, which resulted in a new UN resolution and severe sanctions against North Korea. North Korea described the new U.S.-South Korea exercise as 'nuclear war provocations' and threatened to respond with 'a full-scale invasion.' According to Reuters, Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, warned last week of the 'increasing threats from enemies' and urged his people to prepare for a nuclear war. The North Korean National Defense Commission stated that the army and people of North Korea would achieve their greatest desire, which is the reunification of the two Koreas, through a 'sacred war of justice.' The command center for the U.S.-South Korea joint exercise stated that it had previously informed Pyongyang about the 'non-provocative nature of this military exercise.' Military exercises in the Korean Peninsula have always been accompanied by increased political tensions in the region, but this year, due to North Korea's new nuclear tests, the situation is more tense than before.