June 28, 2010
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North Korea has expressed readiness to strengthen its nuclear capability.
A spokesperson for North Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday that the recent disturbing developments on the Korean peninsula underscore the need for the nation to bolster its nuclear deterrent in a
newly developed way.
The statement carried by the official Korean Central News Agency referred to reports made by US media last week. The reports said the United States considered a plan for a nuclear strike on North Korea in 1969 after the North shot down a US spy aircraft over the Sea of Japan.
The statement claimed that historical evidence proves that the decision made by North Korea to react to nuclear attacks with a nuclear deterrent had been quite right.The North did not elaborate on the meaning of the phrase "a newly developed way," but the country is developing plutonium-based and uranium-based nuclear programs.
The North is also believed to be developing nuclear warheads small enough to be mounted on its missiles.
North Korea's announcement comes after the Group of Eight leaders released a joint statement on Saturday condemning North Korea in connection with the sinking of a South Korean warship.
The aim of North Korea's announcement is apparently to counter international pressure on the country.
2010/06/28 18:25(JST)
(JST: UTC+9hrs.)
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