North Korea says US risking ‘nuclear disaster’

Kim Yo-jong, senior official and the sister of the country’s leader, has warned that by giving Kiev more arms, Washington could trigger a global “calamity”

The US is taking a dangerous gamble by providing Ukraine with ever more weaponry and seemingly ignoring Russia’s warnings – something that could trigger a “nuclear disaster,” Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korea’s leader, has claimed.

During a state visit to North Korea this June, Russian President Vladimir Putin and leader Kim Jong-un signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The document includes a pledge by Moscow and Pyongyang to assist each other in case of foreign aggression. Putin also stated at the time that “Russia does not rule out the development of military cooperation with the DPRK,” given that Western nations are supplying advanced weapons to Ukraine.

In a press statement released on Sunday, Kim Yo-jong predicted that “additional US military support for Ukraine will bring about a nuclear disaster to the world.” She denounced as “foolish” US President Joe Biden’s decision earlier this week to supply Kiev with nearly $8 billion worth of military aid.

According to the North Korean official, this latest development will only serve to prolong the Ukraine conflict, and encourage “further adventurous military action” on the part of Kiev.

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Addressing the US leadership, Kim suggested that it should remove Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky from power, whom she described as a “foolish and silly guy.”

“Calamity is inevitable unless [the] insanity of Zelensky is stopped,” she warned.

Kim stressed that the “US and the West should neither ignore nor underestimate Russia’s stern warnings” – an apparent reference to President Putin recently speaking of the need to update Moscow’s nuclear doctrine.

“Can the US and the West deal with the consequences to be entailed by their current fearless war gamble against Russia, a nuclear superpower?” the North Korean official inquired rhetorically.

During a meeting of the national security council on Wednesday, the Russian leader suggested that the list of criteria justifying a nuclear strike should include a “massive” missile or air strike launched by another state against Russia, or its closest ally, Belarus. He clarified that the weapons used in a potential attack could range from ballistic or cruise missiles to strategic aircraft and drones.

“Aggression against Russia by any non-nuclear state… supported by a nuclear power should be treated as their joint attack,” Putin added.

He stopped short of saying when exactly the changes to Russia’s nuclear doctrine will take effect.