'NK Military Power Poses Serious Threat'
The Defense Ministry has defined North Korea’s military capability as a serious threat to the nation in its annual defense white paper.
In the latest report released Friday, the ministry said that the North’s conventional arms, nuclear program, weapons of mass destruction and forward deployment of its military forces pose a “serious threat” to the nation’s security. The expression "serious threat" is stronger than the “direct military threat” used in the 2004 White Paper.
The ministry set its defense goals as protecting the nation from external military threats and invasion, supporting peaceful reunification and contributing to regional security and world peace.
It also included in the paper for the first time language saying that protecting the nation from external military threats implies placing top priority on preparation for existing military threats from North Korea.
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