North Korean threats of war are nothing new. But not all of it is empty bluster.



Columns North Korean threats of war are nothing new. But not all of it is empty bluster. Kim Yo Jong’s warning about a US ‘declaration of war’ is common in DPRK bombast and shouldn’t be taken at face value Andrei Lankov March 14, 2023 SHARE COPY LINK FACEBOOK X LINKEDIN MASTODON The DPRK leader's sister Kim Yo Jong delivering a speech at the National Meeting on August 11, 2022 \| Image: KCTV North Korean state media has increased its venom in recent weeks, coinciding with U.S.-ROK drills and Seoul’s efforts to demonstrate that it is tough and ready to retaliate to any shows of force. Just looking at DPRK propaganda, one could be forgiven for thinking the peninsula is once again on the brink of war. In the last month, Pyongyang has test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and carried out “fatal nuclear counterattack” drills against American and ROK forces, while threatening “violent physical conflict” against the allies if planned military exercises go ahead. North Korean state media has increased its venom in recent weeks, coinciding with U.S.-ROK drills and Seoul’s efforts to demonstrate that it is tough and ready to retaliate to any shows of force. Just looking at DPRK propaganda, one could be forgiven for thinking the peninsula is once again on the brink of war. In the last month, Pyongyang has test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and carried out “fatal nuclear counterattack” drills against American and ROK forces, while threatening “violent physical conflict” against the allies if planned military exercises go ahead. Try unlimited access Only $1 for four weeks Unlimited access to all of NK News: reporting, investigations, analysis Year-one discount if you continue past $1 trial period The NK News Daily Update, an email newsletter to keep you in the loop Searchable archive of all content, photo galleries, special columns Contact NK News reporters with tips or requests for reporting Get unlimited access to all NK News content, including original reporting, investigations, and analyses by our team of DPRK experts. Subscribe now All major cards accepted. No commitments – you can cancel any time. © Korea Risk Group. All rights reserved. No part of this content may be reproduced, distributed, or used for commercial purposes without prior written permission from Korea Risk Group. Get the Daily Update Start your day with the North Korea stories that matter most – as selected by And how should we address you in correspondence? One more step! Please check your inbox, for an email we just sent you, and click on the confirmation message in it to get subscribed to our Daily News Update. Trending

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North Korean threats of war are nothing new. But not all of it is empty bluster.

Kim Yo Jong’s warning about a US ‘declaration of war’ is common in DPRK bombast and shouldn’t be taken at face value

Andrei Lankov March 14, 2023

North Korean threats of war are nothing new. But not all of it is empty bluster.

The DPRK leader's sister Kim Yo Jong delivering a speech at the National Meeting on August 11, 2022 | Image: KCTV

North Korean state media has increased its venom in recent weeks, coinciding with U.S.-ROK drills and Seoul’s efforts to demonstrate that it is tough and ready to retaliate to any shows of force. Just looking at DPRK propaganda, one could be forgiven for thinking the peninsula is once again on the brink of war.

In the last month, Pyongyang has test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) and carried out “fatal nuclear counterattack” drills against American and ROK forces, while threatening “violent physical conflict” against the allies if planned military exercises go ahead.

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