Categories: World

Kim Jong Un draws red line at sea, renews promise to fire on South Korean ship ‘that violates even 0.001mm’

close Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for February 15

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what’s clicking on Foxnews.com.

North Korea’s supreme leader has drawn a red line at sea, vowing to fire upon any South Korean vessel that even barely crosses it.

Kim Jong Un reportedly attended the test launch of a new surface-to-air missile on Wednesday, where he told military officials to be prepared for a strike against any South Korean ship that enters North Korea waters from now on.

The supreme leader “stressed the need for the DPRK to thoroughly defend the maritime sovereignty by force of arms and actions, not by any rhetoric, statement and public notice,” according to state-owned and operated news outlet Korean Central News Agency.

SOUTH KOREA SAYS RELATIONS WITH CUBA WOULD SEND ‘POLITICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL BLOW’ TO NORTH KOREA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends a submarine-launched cruise missile test at an undisclosed location in North Korea in this picture released by the Korean Central News Agency earlier this year. (KCNA via REUTERS)

DPRK is an abbreviation of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea — the official name of the North Korean nation.

“He gave important instructions to bolster up military preparedness particularly in the border waters north of Yonphyong Island and Paekryong Island frequently invaded by the enemies’ warships including destroyers, escort ships and speedboats,” KCNA reported.

The Northern Limit Line (NLL) is the internationally accepted maritime line dividing North Korea and South Korea at sea — this standard border has been challenged by Kim Jong Un’s regime in the past.

NORTH KOREA FIRES CRUISE MISSILES INTO SEA OF JAPAN, SOUTH KOREA SAYS: REPORT

Because of Kim Jong Un’s frequent arguments that North Korean waters extend slightly farther to the south of the NLL, the exact parameters of the red line in the supreme leader’s threats are somewhat hard to understand — making the situation even more volatile.

“What is clear is that when the enemy intrudes into the maritime border recognized by us, we will regard it as an encroachment upon the sovereignty of the DPRK and an armed provocation against it,” the dictator said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attends the 19th expanded political bureau meeting of the 8th Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea in Pyongyang, North Korea, in this image released by the Korean Central News Agency. (KCNA via REUTERS    )

The threats make more concrete Kim Jong Un’s increasingly specific threats against South Korean officials, military, and civilians in the wake of renewed hostilities.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP 

In a January parliamentary meeting, the dictator told government officials, “As the southern border of our country has been clearly drawn, the illegal NLL and any other boundary can never be tolerated, and if the Republic of Korea violates even 0.001 millimeters of our territorial land, air and waters, it will be considered a war provocation.”

North Korea has continued this year its common practice of firing missiles into the ocean area between itself, its southern counterpart, and the islands of Japan.

Timothy Nerozzi is a writer for Fox News Digital. You can follow him on Twitter @timothynerozzi and can email him at timothy.nerozzi@fox.com

Share

Recent Posts

Israel says it killed Iranian commander who helped fund, arm Hamas

close Video Former Israeli prime minister says fight with Iran going ‘incredibly well’ Former Israeli…

11 hours ago

Fiery hot-air balloon tragedy kills at least 8 people: ‘We are in mourning’

close Video Hot-air balloon crash in Brazil leaves 8 dead Authorities investigate Saturday after a…

13 hours ago

Why are B-2 stealth bombers being deployed to Guam, and what could come next?

close Video Trump to meet with national security team as he weighs Middle East strike…

14 hours ago

Israeli hostage families make desperate plea to Trump as ‘time is running out’

close Video Edan Alexander's father says hostages' release was placed on 'back burner' due to…

22 hours ago

Here’s what a post-Ayatollah Iran could look like if war with Israel leads to regime’s fall

close Video Exiled crown prince of Iran says he hopes conflict 'doesn't get to this…

24 hours ago

B-2 stealth bombers appear to be on the move hours before Trump expected at White House

close Video Fox News Flash top headlines for June 21 Fox News Flash top headlines…

24 hours ago