Ahead of Armistice Day, North Korea Pledges War, Could Launch Missile

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Ahead of Armistice Day, North Korea Pledges War, Could Launch Missile
BY SHUBHAM KISHORE ON 07/26/17 AT 1:40 AM
RE: http://www.ibtimes.com/ahead-armisti...issile-2570598

Ahead of the 64th anniversary of Armistice Day that marked the end of fighting during the 1950-53 Korean War, North Korean Military vowed their readiness to fight against the U.S, the state media of North Korea said on Wednesday.

Officers from all wings of the North Korean army, navy, and air and anti-air force of the Korean People's Army (KPA) held an oath taking meeting on Tuesday, two days before the anniversary where servicemen vowed their firm readiness to fight with the United States, reports said.

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The meeting was carried out amid speculation North Korea may carry out a missile test to mark the anniversary. U.S. officials also said that activity at North Korean sites had increased. They suspected this could be preparation for another missile test, Reuters reported. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a U.S. official told Reuters equipment possibly for launching had been spotted.

North Korea has also threatened a nuclear strike on “the heart of the U.S.” if the U.S. does not stop its efforts to remove Kim Jong Un as Supreme Leader, Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported Tuesday.

The threat came a week after CIA director Mike Pompeo said the Trump administration needed to find a way to separate Kim from his growing nuclear stockpile, CNN reported.

The Armistice Day marked the end of the Korean war and North Korea has designated it as Victory Day. The country celebrates what it claims was its victory against the U.S. in the war.

The Korean War began June 25, 1950 with North Korea invading South Korea. Soon, the U.S. secured a resolution from the United Nations for military defense of South Korea. Within a few days U.S. forces joined the war and started pushing into North Korea along with South Korean forces.

However by the end of 1951, China began an assault against the U.S. and South Korean forces. The U.S., during the war, had also threatened the use of nuclear weapons. As the war continued for three years, by July 1953, all sides agreed to sign an agreement to end the bloodshed.

Signed on July 27, the armistice made a committee represented by neutral countries to decide the fate of prisoners of war. It was later decided they could choose themselves if they wanted to stay where they were or wanted to return to their homelands.

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A new border was drawn between the two Korean countries that gave South Korea some additional territory. Millions of people including 50,000 Americans lost their lives in the war.

South Korea will also mark the occasion by celebrations with events to be held at Seoul. More than 3,000 people including war veterans, their families and government officials are expected to join the celebration.