N. Korea vows to strengthen defenses "in every way"June 18, 2012 - 11:26 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - North Korea accused the United States Monday, June 18 of building up military forces in the region and vowed to strengthen its own defenses "in every way", AFP reports. The comments came one day after the communist state said it would bolster its nuclear deterrent in the face of what it called U.S. antagonism. Tensions on the peninsula have been high in recent months, following repeated threats by Pyongyang against Seoul and the North's failed long-range rocket launch in April. A spokesman for the North's foreign ministry said Monday the U.S. "arms buildup" is an "open provocation" to Pyongyang and a prelude to a regional war. The spokesman's comments on the official news agency cited the disclosure last week that U.S. forces based in the South are seeking more attack helicopters and stronger missile defense systems. The spokesman also mentioned a naval exercise involving South Korea, the U.S. and Japan, which will be held Thursday and Friday south of the peninsula. South Korean and U.S. naval forces, including a U.S. aircraft carrier, will also hold maneuvers in the Yellow Sea for three days starting Saturday. The North also blasted last Thursday's meeting in Washington between the U.S. and South Korean defense and foreign ministers. It said their aim was to discuss "making South Korea an advance base for the implementation of the U.S. strategy for domination over Asia". Seoul said the ministers had agreed there would be "a very decisive response" to any fresh provocation from Pyongyang. There is also speculation the North will conduct another nuclear test following United Nations censure of its rocket launch, although Pyongyang has said it has no plans at present to do so. The North said the U.S. arms buildup "is a prelude to a regional war targeting not only the DPRK (North Korea) but also several Northeast Asian countries..." The North would "increase its self-defense capabilities in every way to protect sovereignty and dignity of the country and nation". Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |