Pyongyang: North Korea on Sunday called on the United States to abandon its military threats against others if it has concerns about its mainland safety. The head of the policy office at the North's defense ministry released a statement, carried by the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), claiming that "the security guarantee of the U.S. mainland" depends on giving up "military threats and aggressive attempts" against other nations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the statement emphasized that the U.S. military is intensifying its focus on the perceived threat from the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) while attempting to significantly increase its arms buildup. The statement criticized U.S. military officials for challenging the DPRK's self-defensive measures to enhance its nuclear force and for making provocative remarks suggesting the possibility of a conflict with North Korea.
The statement pointed to a recent U.S. test of an intercontinental ballistic missile, describing it as an "illogical way of thinking" that U.S. military actions are seen as defensive, while North Korea's actions are viewed as a threat. The statement further asserted that the U.S.'s military threats and strengthening of military capabilities are the primary causes of the external threat to its mainland.
North Korea indicated it is making "sustained and practical efforts" to develop a war deterrent to counter the security instability arising from the U.S. nuclear arms buildup.