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Kns / AFP - Getty Images
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (second right) waves to a crowd of military officials in this undated photo released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency Saturday.
PYONGYANG, North Korea -- North Korea warned the top American commander in South Korea on Saturday of "miserable destruction" if the U.S. military presses ahead with routine joint drills with South Korea set to begin next month.
Pak Rim Su, chief of North Korea's military delegation to the truce village of Panmunjom inside the Demilitarized Zone, sent the warning Saturday morning to Gen. James Thurman, Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency said, in a rare direct message to the U.S. commander.
South Korea and the U.S. regularly conduct joint drills such as the Key Resolve and Foal Eagle exercises slated to take place next month.
North Korea calls the drills proof of U.S. hostility, and accuses Washington of practicing for an invasion.
North Korea releases a new propaganda video calling the U.S. hostile and showing images of President Obama superimposed with flames. Meanwhile, residents line the streets of Pyongyang celebrating the country's recent nuclear test. NBCNews.com's Dara Brown reports.
"You had better bear in mind that those igniting a war are destined to meet a miserable destruction," KCNA quoted Pak as saying in his message to Thurman. He called the drills "reckless."
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, meanwhile, has been making a round of visits to military units guiding troops in drills and exercises since the nuclear test, KCNA said.
The threat comes as the U.S. and other nations discuss how to punish North Korea for conducting an underground nuclear test on Feb. 12 in defiance of U.N. Security Council resolutions banning Pyongyang from nuclear and missile activity.
North Korea has characterized the nuclear test, its third since 2006, as a defensive act against U.S. aggression.
Pyongyang accuses Washington of "hostility" for leading the charge to punish North Korea for a December rocket launch that the U.S. considers a covert missile test.
The U.S. and North Korea fought on opposite sides of the three-year Korean War, which ended in a truce in 1953, not a peace treaty, and left the Korean Peninsula divided by a heavily fortified border monitored by the U.S.-led U.N. Command.
Washington also stations 28,500 American troops in South Korea to protect its ally against North Korean aggression.
The Associated Press
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North Korea's propaganda poets stay true to their muse despite world's laughter
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If it is true, that the Korean war has never concluded and that we are just living inder a "truce", then perhaps it is time to finish the war. It is insanity for the rest of the world to continue to "put up with" these ignorants. God bless the innocent North Korean populace.
Technically it's not a truce, but merely a cease fire. The north could start shelling the south any minute for any reason, and unless the US and South Korea have already agreed the only reaction should be nuclear, this peninsula will turn into yet another Vietnam.
This world is running out of time. The people who made the decision to drop two nuclear bombs on Japan are dead, many who witnessed the aftermath first hand or from afar are also gone. In another 30 years there will be almost no one at all who can attest to the brutal reality those two "small" bombs delivered. When the minds that actually experienced the horror of a nuclear detonation on populated cities are finally all in the ground, the ignorant fools who salivate at the prospect of "turning them to glass" will get a chance to find out for themselves just how freakishly bad a nuclear war is.
I think it is time for a demonstration for all of humanity to witness. I think it is time for a detonation of one of our most powerful bombs in an uninhabited location to awaken the ignorant to just what a nuclear explosion looks, sounds, and feels like. The detonation should be executed exactly the way it would happen in a real war, in other words detonation in the atmosphere at the appropriate height for maximum effect. Once the younger people of the earth have witnessed the detonation and the resulting destruction and the fallout, there may a light even brighter than the one generated by the nuclear demonstration...a light of knowledge that imparts understanding of what it is they seem so desperate to visit on their brothers and sisters! Perhaps they will be wise enough to be afraid of what they see, to run the other way, to move away from the idea that killing each other is acceptable.
We honor those we send to kill others, we celebrate them and in that celebration we sanctify brutality. Many in my generation joined the military because they were drafted, they had to go or risk incarceration. Today we have the "all volunteer" military. People who can't find work anywhere else or who struggled to thrive in a badly broken educational system "volunteer" rather than live in poverty. They are trained, sent overseas to visit the latest and greatest methods of destruction the United States has to offer on other people. This isn't really their fault, but neither is it a reason to crow and strut or celebrate. These people are our brothers and sisters, daughters and brothers, fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and neighbors, the people they are dispatching so efficiently are also brothers and sisters, daughters and brothers, fathers, mothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, some-body's friend, neighbor. The hatred grows with every life lost, with every limb lost. We need to get off this merry-go-round of stupid, visceral, violence. We need to start learning about one another so that those who hold power cannot mislead us into believing that those who live somewhere else are "evil". We are just as mislead as the masses in North Korea. Our beliefs are no more legitimate, we embrace the ideas that align with what we already believe and reject those that challenge us to consider we may be wrong. Human nature? Perhaps, but such behavior is also the foundation of bigotry and hatred which ultimately lead us to attack what we don't understand.
Communicate, educate, think for ourselves, we have the potential to do so many good things! We need to put our resources into things that will build a brighter future, not work to tear down all the progress we have achieved, which I assure you can happen in a matter of just an hour on any given day!
The world does not need nuclear "tests" of any kind. Remember, even if a bomb test takes place in a so-called uninhabited place, the radiation ends up somewhere. And likely the test area is inhabited by sea creatures or land animals which are just as deserving of the pursuit of happiness as we humans.
There is no such thing as a harmless bomb test.
That there is no such thing as a safe test is beside the point, or maybe that IS the point. People need to wake up and a demonstration detonation with all of its harmful effects is a good way to bring home the impact of what a nuclear war would mean for our world. A single bomb will wreak so much havoc that it would at least make the war mongers think twice and those opposed to war might just find they have the guts to stand up and scream at the top of their lungs for the madness of war to end!
So Kum Jong Unstable once again shouts out in his pipsqueak, impotent voice, "Oooooooooooo, you kwazy imperialist wabbit! I'm gonna get you good! No more steawing my cawwots!". And the audience erupts in uncontrolled laughter, as the Elmer Fudd of Asia once again turns beet red in fwustwayshun, and pouts vehemently.
The North Korean military big shots are one big laugh.
Festooned with medals earned for God knows what.....those toads were not even alive or were crapping their diapers during the Korean War.
Those clapping boot lickers are all about 5foot tall...but wear stretched high military 'wheel' hats to try and look another foot taller. Doesn't work guys!
Finally, the King TOAD KIM is so fat he's wearing the only size Quadruple X overcoat in North Korea. If he took it off the military crowd of fawning lackeys could make a 'big top' tent to cover them all.
PS: This was a 'non-story' from an issue-hungry reporter. NK makes threats every day....yawn...yawn!
I propose when & if the big war starts. And we finish it, we get our ass's back over here. And don't worry about helping them rebuild. Time to start taking care of our own. Then again it maybe 100 years be for anyone can step foot on NK again.
Still barking loud with his tail between his legs, do it ever end?. Empty threats don't scare US so quit singing bout stuff and just bring it, so we can finally kick your a** fat boy!!!!!.
Kim Jong-Un could be truly great and lead his people to prosperity, if he has the courage to think and act differently from his father. He has an opportunity to make major reforms in North Korea, heal relationships with potential trade partners (including South Korea and the US) and work towards becoming a respected nation in the world. This will require bravery on his part, and a willingness to search for the truth beyond the twisted information he was fed growing up and that information which he is no-doubt continually fed by self-serving and corrupt North Korean government officials. I pray for Kim Jong-Un's people's sake that he does not continue traveling down this road of isolation and belligerence. North Korea will find its greatest reward by partnering with its neighbors, not threatening or fighting them.
Its time to reclaim the North Korea. Neutron Bombs are the best method of reclaiming the land for South Korea.
It will happen sooner or later. North Korea is heading down the path to total destruction. Neutron bombs would be in the best interest of South Korea.
North Korea does this once a month, or so. Mostly to have something for their own people.
That's what they said about Hitler. But, I agree with your assessment more than others on here. Kim must create that demon in the mind of his people to keep control of them through fear and keep the threats omnipresent so induce them into thinking they are joined together in the face of imminent invasion. Most anyone with half a brain can see thru him, but, these people are so brainwashed, it's still a scary situation. Let's hope we aren't caught off guard because of our refusal to deal with his antics.
Perry-2713557
Kind of like our President a lot of tough talk create that demon in the mind of his people to get control of them through fear. Keep the threats omnipresent so to induce them thinking they are joined together in the face of imminent chaos here. Most of us see through him but most of the liberal are so brainwashed, it is scary that some Americans follow his ideology to the point of giving up their rights here at home. I hope you folks on the left aren't caught off guard because of your refusal to deal with his antics. The reason we have the Russians;North Korea;China;Iran and any little despot around the world testing us is because this President is weak and they know it.
let god sort them out, More than half of us voted for President Obama, so that obviously means MOST of us agree with him. What's really scary is reading idiotic comments from ignorant and childish fools like you. Your kind lost the election and there's nothing you can do about it!
More bluster from the mental cases? Now who would have thought they would stoop to that? My guess is, they must be low on fuel oil? Or, maybe its food this time? Who knows? They always bluster when they need/want something from us!!! Time to just cut them off, and let the populace revolt, and take their country away from the military!!!
@sighber, I hear what you are saying. I am old, and have seen enough killing for a few lifetimes. Enough of the body bags. Enough of the troops coming home, having left an arm or a leg......or their emotions.....in a foreign land.
I live in S. Korea. Have been here since 1970's. Got here just after the President of S. Korea's wife was assassinated. I was here when a group of soldiers went to prune a tree......and several ended up dead by hatchets in the hands of the North Koreans. I was here when the South caught a N. Korean spy, getting ready to blow up an airliner. I was here when, just a couple of years ago, the North blew up a S. Korean ship and killed 40-some young men. I was here when the North shelled one of the S. Korean islands, and killed several. And, I was here, when the North sent to the World Cup, that Japan and S. Korea co-hosted, a team of cheer-ladies......and saw how the S. Korean people fell all over themselves, making the N.K. ladies feel at home. ANd, one rainy morning during the games, I saw the North's response. Sometimes, when we want peace, and an end to the fighting, there are other evil people in the world that we must defend ourselves from. They won't listen to reason. They have their own agenda, and their own screwed up interpretation of life. I prefer peace. I work for peace. I talk peace. But, sometimes that option is just not open. I thought that when the old Kim died, and the new (European-educated)Kim took over, that things might change. Seems not to have happened. And put Iran into the mix, "helping" the North......as I said, I am tired of war and war talk.
When I was stationed in Taegu, I noticed the difference in the concern of the people there versus the attitudes of the people from Seoul who were within artillery range. Now, the closest I want to be to it all is Missouri. I really liked the south Korean people, and I still feel very sorry for them to have to live with these threats and intimidation. I certainly don't have any answers.
While his people starve, this Bloated Pig looks like he's been eating everything in sight. Just means he'll need a Bigger Coffin to Stuff his Dead Fat _ss in when he's Soon Gone.
It's a Pity we have a Pathetic, Weak Appeasing COWARD called Hussein supposedly leading our country while the world is Laughing at his Sorry Weak _ss. Korea, Iran, Egypt, al quaida in BENGHAZI, etc. May Pathetic Little barry's days End Very SOON!
Alan, hopefully someone from the secret service will read your post and put your sick, twisted butt down, Very SOON!
A War monger I am not but this tub looks like he never misses a meal and he should share some bread with his people or screw it let's have a drone attack. Can't miss.
Would someone tell this pitiful little third world country to shove it up their a#* please! Oh, and while you're at it, please remove them from the face of the Earth too!
Our Incompetent Comander in Chief is also in bed with N. Korea. He just goes through Iran to do it. He is, after all, one of them....
Ron
Another person in fantasy land.
We need to send in Dolph Lundgren, Jesse Ventura, and Rambo.
Ho hum zzzzzzzzzz...
This seems to be a stern warning. Should't we at least wait until Obama
completesholds up on his campaigning as he has suddenly realized that becoming more popular will get him better job approval numbers as opposed to doing the things he should be doing?Also, he's somewhat committed to several radio talk shows to tell the American people just how bad the Republicans are and their ONE AND ONLY desire is to protect the rich. I guess this is the only excuse he can use to deceive the American people as he did to get reelected but it has run its course.
It might just be a good idea to wait until we are blessed with a president that has more time to carry out the duties of the presidency rather than one who has his own personal ambitions.
I'll vote for that.
my guess is he's trying to convince his own populace that the world is against them; no doubt, to cover up another failed food crop this year! We should concentrate our efforts on educating their people how out of touch they are with the rest of the world, something along the lines of "Radio free Europe". I know it's old school but because they are so backwards, it just might work!
I'll tell you one thing, they better not decide to postpone or delay our drills like they have before. We send our little warnings and frowns and consequences if N Korea does this or that and they always do as they like in the end. Then they return with this type of rhetoric and we end up delaying or postponing drills as not to cause a fuss. It just seems a bit backwards to me, and I'm not even from West Virginia, Kidding!
Flag waving,saber rattleing on both sides is just what it takes to make a Nuclear cinder of us all.God is great,beer is good,people are crazy.
Yep, that Diplomacy, and engagement by conversations with our enemies, is sure working for US!
I would not be shocked if one of his generals assassinated this little fat man for gorging on the nations food supplies when families are so hungry that some have turned to cannibalism. At least one of these marionettes in uniform must be able to think for himself and see this fat boy for what he is.
@KristinaJensen......not going to happen. They are all in lockstep. (One of the first things that we got word of, here in the South.....about 3 months or so after the newest Kim took over: He purged his officers. Killed many. No known reason why. He just did it. Probably to assert his power.
I don't think we should make the mistake of judging him by his obese, boyish looks. In purging his officers, for whatever reason, it sounds like he has taken a page from some of history's great military leaders. It sounds like we should be very concerned about his threats.
Miserable Destruction? Lil Kim, you really don't know what that means, but will when it comes your way. Has he forgotten what a US Navy Boomer is? Did I say 'Lil' Kim, cause there isn't anything little about his rotundress. Talk about 'his' rice bowl being over full, but not that of his starving people. I like the General in the photo with medals almost down to his knees. Maybe he's attained the rank of an Eagle General.