US warns of impending nuclear test in North Korea

Defense ministers of the United States and South Korea denounced measures taken by the North Korean government, pointing to a North Korean nuclear test in the near future. Americans and South Koreans say preparations for a nuclear test and a series of North Korean missiles near the Sea of ​​Japan threaten the security of the entire region, according to international news agencies. The US and South Korea plan to expand the scale of their military exercises on the Korean peninsula.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has promoted his top nuclear affairs representative to foreign minister. In addition to announcing the promotion to the new chancellor, Cho Son Hui, North Korean state media also released a speech by Kim in which he promised to respond to rival countries by fighting for his country’s sovereignty. He made no direct reference to the US and South Korea, but described the deteriorating security environment in his country. He advocated expediting the development of weapons as a way to exercise sovereignty and self-defense rights. North Korea did not elaborate on the specific goals of its defense policy and did not confirm any plans for a nuclear test.

If confirmed, it would be North Korea’s first nuclear test in five years. The North Korean government has already conducted six such tests between 2006 and 2017. “He said. Kim, according to state news agency KCNA.

North Korea has been increasing the frequency of ballistic missile launches since September last year. Last week, South Korea and the US conducted military exercises with 20 fighter jets and fired eight ballistic missiles. The show of force came two days after North Korea fired eight missiles and amid fears of further nuclear tests.

fight for taiwan

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said at the Shangri-La Dialogue Security Forum in Singapore on Sunday that the country “will fight at whatever cost and fight to the end” to prevent Taiwan from declaring independence. “It is the only option for China,” he said.

“Those who seek independence from Taiwan in an attempt to divide China will certainly not end well,” Wei Fenghe said. “No one should underestimate the determination and capability of China’s armed forces to ensure its territorial integrity.”

Wei Fenghe also accused the United States of trying to “hijack” the support of other countries in the Indo-Pacific under the guise of multilateralism and said that US-China relations would improve only if US countries “interfere in domestic affairs”. will close” “.” from China.

Wei Fenghe’s speech came a day after US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said China was involved in “provocative and destabilizing” military activities near Taiwan and US President Joe Biden claimed that if China attacked the island. The US would respond “militarily” if attacked.

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