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| North Korea threatens US and S Korea with nuclear strikes | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| North Korea has warned of "indiscriminate" nuclear strikes on the US and South Korea as they begin their largest ever military drills. | North Korea has warned of "indiscriminate" nuclear strikes on the US and South Korea as they begin their largest ever military drills. |
| The exercises, involving more than 300,000 personnel, are an annual event and always generate tension. | The exercises, involving more than 300,000 personnel, are an annual event and always generate tension. |
| The order for a "pre-emptive nuclear strike of justice" was made in a statement put out by Pyongyang. | The order for a "pre-emptive nuclear strike of justice" was made in a statement put out by Pyongyang. |
| Such rhetoric is not uncommon, and experts doubt the North's ability to put nuclear warheads on its missiles. | Such rhetoric is not uncommon, and experts doubt the North's ability to put nuclear warheads on its missiles. |
| North Korea sees the annual US-South Korean war games as a rehearsal for invasion. | North Korea sees the annual US-South Korean war games as a rehearsal for invasion. |
| Last year, it threatened to turn Washington into a "sea of fire". | Last year, it threatened to turn Washington into a "sea of fire". |
| The South's defence ministry has warned Pyongyang against any "rash act that brings destruction upon itself". | The South's defence ministry has warned Pyongyang against any "rash act that brings destruction upon itself". |
| "If North Korea ignores our warning and makes provocations, our military will firmly and mercilessly respond to it," said spokesman Moon Sang-gyun. | "If North Korea ignores our warning and makes provocations, our military will firmly and mercilessly respond to it," said spokesman Moon Sang-gyun. |
| Can South Korea defend itself? | Can South Korea defend itself? |
| Dealing with the North: Carrots or sticks? | Dealing with the North: Carrots or sticks? |
| These latest exercises - called Foal Eagle and Key Resolve - will involve about 300,000 South Korean troops and 15,000 US personnel, the largest ever such operation. | These latest exercises - called Foal Eagle and Key Resolve - will involve about 300,000 South Korean troops and 15,000 US personnel, the largest ever such operation. |
| They come just days after the UN passed new sanctions against North Korea following its recent nuclear test and rocket launch. | They come just days after the UN passed new sanctions against North Korea following its recent nuclear test and rocket launch. |
| On Saturday, the Philippines impounded a North Korean cargo vessel under the toughened measures. A presidential spokesman said the crew would be deported and the ship subject to a UN-mandated inspection. | On Saturday, the Philippines impounded a North Korean cargo vessel under the toughened measures. A presidential spokesman said the crew would be deported and the ship subject to a UN-mandated inspection. |
| The North responded to the sanctions by saying it was readying nuclear weapons for "pre-emptive" use, and by firing short-range missiles into the sea. | The North responded to the sanctions by saying it was readying nuclear weapons for "pre-emptive" use, and by firing short-range missiles into the sea. |
| The US and South Korea on Friday also began formal talks on the deployment of the US missile defence system to the peninsula, a move strongly opposed by North Korea, Russia and China. | The US and South Korea on Friday also began formal talks on the deployment of the US missile defence system to the peninsula, a move strongly opposed by North Korea, Russia and China. |
| Beijing says the Thaad anti-missile system compromises its security and would undermine its nuclear deterrent. | Beijing says the Thaad anti-missile system compromises its security and would undermine its nuclear deterrent. |
| What is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad)? | What is the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System (Thaad)? |
| 1. The enemy launches a missile | 1. The enemy launches a missile |
| 2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control | 2. The Thaad radar system detects the launch, which is relayed to command and control |
| 3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile | 3. Thaad command and control instructs the launch of an interceptor missile |
| 4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile | 4. The interceptor missile is fired at the enemy projectile |
| 5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight | 5. The enemy projectile is destroyed in the terminal phase of flight |
| The launcher trucks can hold up to eight interceptor missiles. | The launcher trucks can hold up to eight interceptor missiles. |