North Korea warned it would use nuclear weapons against South Korea if it launched an attack first.

Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s powerful sister, made these comments after South Korea’s defense minister claimed that his country has missiles capable of hitting any target in North Korea.

According to KCNA (a state news agency), Ms Kim, a top government official, stated that it was a “very large mistake” for Suh Wok to make such remarks.

Pyongyang is opposed to war which would leave the peninsula in ruin and doesn’t view South Korea as its principal adversary, she stated on Tuesday.

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Kim Jong Un’s sister labels South Korea’s defence minister a “scum-like guy” over missile remarks

“But, if South Korea, for whatever reason – regardless of whether it is blinded or misjudgement–opts for such military actions as

The ‘preemptive strike” as referred to by [Mr Suh], will not work,” Ms Kim said.

“In such a case, South Korea will be a target.”

Both countries have displayed greater military power this year with North Korea firing a variety of powerful missiles.

Officials in South Korea, the US and the fear that the North might be preparing for the restart of nuclear weapon testing for the first time since 2017.

Officials from North Korea condemned Mr. Suh’s comments and warned that Pyongyang would attack major South Korean targets in Seoul, Seoul’s capital, if it took any “dangerous military actions”.

Comments could be directed at the incoming president

Ms Kim may have made the comments in reference to Yoon Suk-yeol (South Korea’s incoming president), who has called for a stronger defense against North Korean threats.

Rachel Minyoung Lee is an analyst for the US-based 38 North Project. She said that although North Korea has so far not criticised Yoon at an authoritative level but it does seem to be laying the foundations.

She said that the statements suggested Pyongyang is preparing its citizens for a possible shift of Korean relations after Yoon takes office in May.