Kim Jong Un Warns of U.S. Warmongering Amid Russia Launching Nuclear Capable Missiles into Combat

Kim Jong Un Accuses U.S. of Pushing Thermonuclear Conflict Potential

In what can be seen as a strong statement on international relations, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on November 21 blamed the United States for inciting global discord that may culminate in a catastrophic thermonuclear war.

While addressing a military showcase in his nation's capital, Pyongyang, Kim relayed his belief that past negotiations with the U.S. revealed an inherent hostility and aggression from the U.S. towards North Korea.

Kim was quoted as saying, "Never before has the situation on the Korean peninsula been more perilously poised towards a catastrophic thermonuclear war". He expressed a cynicism, borne from previous negotiations, towards the United States' aggressive stance, which, he believes, cannot be changed.

Russia's Launch of IRBM—A Concurrent Development

Interestingly, Kim's remarks coincided with Russian President Vladimir Putin's announcement about the successful testing of his country's latest missile, the "Oreshnik" Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM), targeted at Dnipro in Eastern Ukraine.

Putin stated the missile test was a response to Ukraine targeting Kursk and Bryansk, within Russian territory, using long-range ATACMS and Storm Shadow missiles, reportedly supplied by Western forces.

Even though the "Oreshnik" missile has the capacity to carry nuclear warheads, Putin asserted that in this scenario the missile was not nuclear-equipped. He issued a stern warning, though, saying Russia would be prepared to retaliate against any country supplying arms used against Russian targets.

Increased Military Collaboration Between Russia & North Korea

In related news, a Pentagon spokesperson revealed that North Korea has dispatched an impressive number of 10,000 troops to assist Russia, with a majority of these forces stationed in the western region of Kursk Oblast, actively participating in warfare.

It was also reported that Russia is amassing a 50,000-strong military force, comprised of many North Korean soldiers, to carry out a counter-offensive against a Ukrainian salient located in Russia's Kursk Oblast.

This move comes after Russia sustained heavy losses in the previous month, leading some analysts to speculate whether the additional North Korean troops are supplementing depleted Russian forces.