Pyongyang issues ‘massive nuclear disaster’ threat

North Korea reiterated its threat Sunday of a “nuclear war disaster” if the South Korean military conducts a firing drill on Yeonpyeong Island in the Yellow Sea, adding the U.S. will have to take responsibility.

The North’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement, “We need to clarify in advance who should take responsibility for a looming second Yeonpyeong incident,” adding, “The U.S. should take the primary responsibility for instigating (South Korea) to conduct an act of aggression.”

“The international community overall, including neighboring countries, urge an unconditional halt to the planned shelling drill on Yeonpyeong Island, but the U.S. is openly encouraging an attack,” it said. “We will calculate with the U.S. all extreme situations and aftereffects that occur on the Korean Peninsula.”

“If South Korea pushes ahead with firing drills and shells cross the Northern Limit Line, the South will inevitably embrace an explosion of political chaos on the Korean Peninsula and the resulting tragedy,” it added. “We will inflict decisive and unrelenting punishment on aggressors that infringe upon the sovereignty and territory of our republic.”

Between the Korean People, a Web site run by the North’s Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of the Fatherland, issued two commentaries saying, “If war breaks out on the Korean Peninsula, a massive nuclear disaster far more severe and massive than the Korean War will inflict damage on the Korean people.”

“If shelling takes place on Yeonpyeong Island, it will generate a grave danger to peace on the Korean Peninsula and across Northeast Asia.”

The Chosun Shinbo, the official newspaper of the General Association of Korean Residents in Japan, a pro-North Korea group, also said, “Had South Korea not canceled its suggested airstrike on North Korea when the Yeonpyeong shelling occurred, it could have expanded to all-out war,” hinting at stern retaliation by Pyongyang if Seoul resorts to measures such as air strikes using fighter jets.