North Korea: The Question Now Is When Will War Begin

While the United States and South Korea have conducted their largest air exercise for 'readiness against North Korean threats,' Pyongyang claims that the onset of war on the Korean Peninsula has become an 'irreversible reality.' On Thursday, December 7, the North Korean Foreign Ministry issued a statement attacking U.S. officials' remarks condemning its missile and nuclear programs, warning that although it does not seek war, it will not shy away from it if it occurs. The spokesperson added that the statements from U.S. officials and the current large-scale exercise involving the U.S. and South Korea indicate that America is 'step by step' getting closer to war on the Korean Peninsula. According to the North Korean state news agency, the official stated, 'We do not seek war, but we will not escape from it. America should not test our patience; if it ignites the fire of nuclear war, we will certainly make it pay with our ever-improving nuclear capability.' The North Korean Foreign Ministry stated in part of its announcement, 'The question that remains now is when will war begin.' This statement was released three days after the start of the largest air exercise by the U.S. and South Korean militaries to prepare for what Washington and its allies call 'threats' from North Korea. According to official reports, more than 230 military aircraft and 12,000 personnel are participating in the five-day U.S.-South Korea exercise, including six F-22 fighters and six F-35 fighters. The presence of six advanced F-35 fighters signifies the largest deployment of fifth-generation fighters in the recent exercise. It was officially announced on Wednesday that a B-1B strategic bomber has also joined the exercise. Hours before the start of this exercise, H.R. McMaster, the U.S. National Security Advisor, referred to North Korea as 'the greatest current threat to the United States' and spoke of the increasing risk of war between the two countries. North Korean officials, including leader Kim Jong-un, have repeatedly threatened the U.S. and its allies with a preemptive nuclear strike. U.S. officials maintain that they still believe political and diplomatic avenues may be viable, but they have emphasized that if war breaks out, the North Korean regime will be destroyed. Mike Pompeo, the CIA Director, stated last week during a speech that Kim Jong-un is unaware of how precarious his position in the world is: 'Those around him do not tell him the reality of the situation he is in... It is probably not easy to deliver bad news to Kim Jong-un.' Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have escalated in recent months. Pyongyang has continued its ballistic missile tests in defiance of Security Council resolutions and has increased their range, and has also conducted new nuclear tests against the wishes of the United Nations. North Korea claims that the purpose of the exercises and actions by the U.S. and its allies in the region is to change its regime. Washington and its Asian allies say they are seeking to enhance their defensive capabilities against Pyongyang's actions.