North Korea Warns Of ‘Pre-Emptive’ Nuclear Strike Against U.S., Says Warheads Can Reach Manhattan


North Korea claims that they are moving from the defense to the offense in regards to relations with the United States. North Korea, who is facing an impending famine due to U.S. sanctions, warns of a pre-emptive nuclear strike on the United States, claiming that they have warheads capable of reaching Manhattan.

The Daily Mail reports that North Korea is warning the United States of a potential nuclear strike following sanctions that are slated to put the communist country into another devastating famine. North Korea dictator Kim Jong-un has told citizens to be prepared to “chew on roots” again as the famine begins.

North Korea threatens region
People watch a TV news program showing North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The screen reads “Sanction on the North Korea.” [Image by Ahn Young-joon | AP Photo]
Following the warnings of famine in North Korea, the Foreign Minister Lee Su-yong informed the public that North Korea would be moving from the nuclear defensive to the offense claiming they were preparing for a preemptive nuclear strike on the United States.

“In response to the U.S. frenzied hysteria for unleashing a nuclear war, we have fully transferred our army from the form of military response to the form of delivering a pre-emptive strike and we state resolutely about the readiness to deliver a pre-emptive nuclear strike.”

The threat comes shortly after the country made bold claims that they had nuclear warheads that could reach Manhattan. As the Washington Times previously reported, nuclear scientist named Cho Hyong Il was quoted in the North Korean media as claiming the hydrogen bomb in the country could be mounted on a ballistic missile and reach the U.S.

“If this H-bomb were to be mounted on an intercontinental ballistic missile and fall on Manhattan in New York City, all the people there would be killed immediately and the city would burn down to ashes.”

The scientist allegedly touted that North Korea’s new hydrogen bomb was bigger than ever and “surpasses our imagination.” The threats against the United States weren’t the only ones being made by the Foreign Minister. The leader also threatened South Korea with a potential nuclear attack noting that it is time to decide between “thermonuclear war” and “peace.”

“The Korean peninsula faces the dilemma: a thermonuclear war or peace.”

The North Koreans have stated that to avoid war, the United States and South Korea must immediately suspend all military exercises to the south. The country wants to be sure that the United States is listening to the warnings as the media in the communist country is inundated with images of missile and nuclear bomb mock ups. Additionally, North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un has been recorded watching the North Korean military practice drills while touting their H-bomb.

North Korea
Kim Jong-un reacted to the recent UN sanctions against North Korea by placing his nuclear arsenal on high alert. [AP Photo/Wong Maye-E, File]
In one of the most recent ballistic missile tests, a “projectile” was launched from the nation and went about 125 miles before eventually crashing onto the land below. The United States military officials are skeptical of North Korea’s claims that they have H-bomb and long-range ballistic missile capabilities noting that there is no proof of the advanced technology. However, it was noted that North Korea has a long history of short-range missiles and artillery shells which could still cause conflict between the north and south.

Has North Korea Restarted Reactor To Generate Weapons-Grade Plutonium?
Kim Jong-Un has threatened the United States with preemptive nuclear strike. (Photo by KCNA / Getty Images)

Jeffrey Lewis, director of the East Asia nonproliferation program, notes that though it does not appear that the weapons being launched by North Korea are not like that of the United States, it does not rule out the possibility entirely.

“It does not look like U.S. devices, to be sure, but it is hard to know if aspects of the model are truly implausible or simply that North Korean nuclear weapons look different than their Soviet and American cousins. The size, however, is consistent with my expectations for North Korea.”

What do you think about North Korea’s threat that they will launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike against the United States?

[Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images]

Share this article: North Korea Warns Of ‘Pre-Emptive’ Nuclear Strike Against U.S., Says Warheads Can Reach Manhattan
More from Inquisitr