Kim Jong-un Backs Down from Plan to Attack Guam
Long time Korea watchers are probably not surprised by the below statement from Kim Jong-un who has backed down from his supposed plan to fire four missiles towards Guam:
The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported Tuesday that the army had finalized the blueprint and presented it to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as he inspected his Strategic Force command the day before.
“He examined the plan for a long time and discussed it with the commanding officers in real earnest,” KCNA said, adding that Kim offered praise for the “close and careful plan.”
The leader reportedly said “he would watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees,” as the North calls the Americans, and warned that he may “make an important decision as it already declared” if the conduct persists.
KCNA quoted Kim as saying “that if the planned fire of power demonstration is carried out as the U.S. is going more reckless, it will be the most delightful historic moment when the Hwasong artillerymen will wring the windpipes of the Yankees and point daggers at their necks.”Kim said the U.S. “should stop at once arrogant provocations against [North Korea] and unilateral demands and not provoke it any longer,” the agency said.
Analysts said Kim was trying to tamp down skyrocketing tensions that have generated the most serious crisis on the divided peninsula in years. But they also warned he left the door open to launch a missile if he feels provoked.
“By North Korean signaling it’s a clear de-escalation, and it’s also an ask for the de-escalation from the American side,” said John Delury, an Asia expert at Yonsei University in Seoul. [Stars & Stripes]
You can read more at the link, but the whole threat was clearly just rhetoric because the regime is not suicidal. They know full well attacking Guam would lead to the end of the regime. This backing down from attacking Guam doesn’t mean they will not launch a provocation. With the upcoming UFG military exercise they will very likely do something.
As I have said before if there are any deadly provocations planned they will be launched against a ROK target not the US. North Korea has killed and injured many ROK servicemembers and civilians over the decades to include in recent years with little to no retaliation. They know killing Americans will lead to retaliation which is why provocations directed towards the US have been missile and nuclear tests. I don’t see anything right now changing this calculus for the Kim regime.
