US planning to launch nuclear war, claims North Korea

NORTH KOREA said yesterday the proposed realignment of US forces in South Korea was a prelude to Washington’s plan to launch nuclear war against the communist country.

The statement came as US Ambassador to Japan Howard Baker stepped up pressure on North Korea to dismantle its nuclear arms programme, warning “sooner or later patience expires.”

“The threat from North Korea is grave indeed,” Baker said in a speech at a Tokyo hotel. “Their threat to world peace is grave. Their threat to Japan is more immediate.