N Korea Threatens to “Sink” Japan, Reduce US to “Ashes & Darkness”

North Korea also referred to South Korea as “traitors and dogs” of the United States.

A North Korean state agency threatened on 14 September to use nuclear weapons to "sink" Japan and reduce the United States to "ashes and darkness" for supporting a UN Security Council resolution and sanctions over its latest nuclear test.

Pyongyang's Korea Asia-Pacific Peace Committee, which handles the North's external ties and propaganda, also called for the breakup of the Security Council, which it called "a tool of evil" made up of "money-bribed" countries that move at the order of the United States.

“The four islands of the archipelago should be sunken into the sea by the nuclear bomb of Juche. Japan is no longer needed to exist near us,” the committee said in a statement carried by the North’s official KCNA news agency.

Regional tensions have risen markedly since the reclusive North conducted its sixth, and by far its most powerful nuclear test on 3 September.

The 15-member Security Council voted unanimously on a US-drafted resolution and a new round of sanctions on 11 September in response, banning North Korea's textile exports that are the second largest only to coal and mineral, and capping fuel supplies.

The North reacted to the latest action by the Security Council, which had the backing of veto-holding China and Russia, by reiterating threats to destroy the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

Let’s reduce the US mainland into ashes and darkness. Let’s vent our spite with mobilisation of all retaliation means which have been prepared till now

North Korean State Agency

The North's latest threats also singled out Japan for "dancing to the tune" of the United States, saying it should never be pardoned for not offering a sincere apology for its "never-to-be-condoned crimes against our people", an apparent reference to Japan's wartime aggression.

It also referred to South Korea as "traitors and dogs" of the United States.

Japan criticised the North's statement harshly.

This announcement is extremely provocative and egregious. It is something that markedly heightens regional tension and is absolutely unacceptable.

Yoshihide Suga, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary

North Korea had already categorically rejected the Security Council resolution imposing sanctions over its latest test, vowing to press ahead with its nuclear and missile programmes in defiance of international pressure.