North Korea Warns It May Retaliate

Because US cut food aid, all deals are off, says Pyongyang
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 17, 2012 2:09 PM CDT
North Korea Threatens to Retaliate Over Food Aid Cuts
North Korean performers sit beneath a screen showing images of leader Kim Jong-Un at a theater during celebrations to mark the 100th anniversary of the country's founding leader Kim Il-Sung.   (Getty Images)

North Korea says it may retaliate after its failed rocket test prompted the US to cut off food aid. Pyongyang holds that the launch was peaceful, and that Washington's move invalidated a deal requiring the North to halt nuclear and missile tests. "We have thus become able to take necessary retaliatory measures, free from the agreement," the country's foreign ministry said, without specifying what those measures might be, the AP reports. "The US will be held wholly accountable for all the ensuing consequences."

"Peace is very dear for us but the dignity of the nation and the sovereignty of the country are dearer for us," it added. Pyongyang slammed the UN Security Council for condemning the launch. "We resolutely and totally reject the unreasonable behavior of the UNSC to violate (our) legitimate right to launch satellites," officials said, according to Reuters. Asked whether the US would consider a surgical strike to deter any North Korean nuclear ambitions, a US military officer said "all options" were on the table. (More North Korea stories.)

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