North Korea issues chilling warning to US about escalating tensions

North Korea has issued a stark warning to the United States that its collaboration with South Korea is escalating tensions in the region.

North Korea brands the US as 'reckless' and 'hostile'

North Korea seemingly blames the US for the situation on the Korean Peninsula. State media KCNA cited an unidentified spokesperson of North Korea’s foreign ministry as saying:

The military and political situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region has reached an extreme red-line due to the reckless military confrontational maneuvers and hostile acts of the US and its vassal forces.

The statement was made in response to comments US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made on Tuesday 31 January with his South Korean counterpart where they promised to increase joint military drills and deploy more fighter jets and aircraft carriers in an act of deterrence.

The spokesperson continued, further laying blame on the US:

This is a vivid expression of the U.S. dangerous scenario which will result in turning the Korean peninsula into a huge war arsenal and a more critical war zone.

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North Korea warns US of 'nuke for nuke' and 'all-out confrontation'

Referring to North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the spokesperson warned the country would retaliate:

The more dangerous the US threat to the DPRK gets, the stronger backfire the US will face in direct proportion to it.

DPRK will take the toughest reaction to any military attempt of the US on the principle of 'nuke for nuke and an all-out confrontation for an all-out confrontation'.

As a result of the US's apparent 'hostile policy and confrontational line', the spokesperson stated that North Korea 'is not interested in any contact or dialogue with the US'.

Sources used:

- The Independent: ‘Nuke for nuke, all-out confrontation’: North Korea’s apocalyptic warning for US

- Associated Press: 'N. Korea warns of 'overwhelming nuclear force' to counter US'

- Reuters: 'North Korea says U.S. drills have pushed situation to 'extreme red-line': KCNA'

- Bloomberg: 'North Korea Shuts Door on US Talks, Raising Risk of Provocations'