North Korea Prepares for War with the United States

It is a real possibility that North Korea is preparing for war
Kim Jong Un has reinstated key figures involved in high-profile provocations against Seoul and ordered the military to prepare for war
North Korea is preparing for war with the United States
South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has ordered troops not to wait for orders to retaliate in the event of an attack
The country has put a military spy satellite into orbit and tested Hwasong-18 ICBM, which is considered a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions
The US has reaffirmed its commitment to provide extended deterrence against Pyongyang and dismissed no military options, including nuclear
North Korea Prepares for War with the United States

North Korea is preparing for war with the United States, according to reports from multiple sources. The country has put a military spy satellite into orbit and tested Hwasong-18 ICBM, which is considered a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions. Kim Jong Un has reinstated key figures involved in high-profile provocations against Seoul and ordered the military to prepare for war. The US has reaffirmed its commitment to provide extended deterrence against Pyongyang and dismissed no military options, including nuclear. South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol has ordered troops not to wait for orders to retaliate in the event of an attack. It is a real possibility that North Korea is preparing for war.


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Confidence

100%

Doubts
  • None

Sources

93%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

North Korea's Kim Jong Un preparing for war − citing 'unprecedented' US behavior

USA Today Thursday, 28 December 2023 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • North Korea is likely to carry out military provocations ahead of major elections in South Korea and the US.
    • Kim Jong Un has ordered his nation's industrial and military sectors to prepare for war with the United States, citing unprecedented confrontational activity by the US and its allies.
    • North Korea put a military spy satellite into orbit after two previous failed attempts, which is considered a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
    • Kim has reinstated key figures involved in high-profile provocations against Seoul.
    • South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered troops not to wait for orders to retaliate in the event of an attack, saying the military should smash the enemy's desire for provocations immediately.
    • Pyongyang has been working on tactical nuclear weapons for years and just testing them could spark a crisis with Washington and Seoul.
    • North Korea has bolstered ties with Russia in recent months.
    • Kim believes he can make his provocations and never pay a price because China and Russia are fully in the North Korean camp due to tensions with Washington.
  • Accuracy
    No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (80%)
    The article contains examples of political bias and religious bias. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable, such as referring to the US behavior as 'unprecedented' and stating that an in-depth analysis indicated the situation on the Korean peninsula had reached its limit. Additionally, the author quotes North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un as saying that the US is a threat to his regime and that war with the US is a possibility. The article also mentions that North Korea has been working on tactical nuclear weapons for years and that it could test an intercontinental ballistic missile by sending it thousands of miles into the Pacific Ocean. These examples suggest that the author may have a biased perspective towards North Korea and its actions, which could affect their reporting.
    • An in-depth analysis indicated the situation on the Korean peninsula had reached its limit
      • North Korea could test an intercontinental ballistic missile by sending it thousands of miles into the Pacific Ocean
        • North Korea has been working on tactical nuclear weapons for years
          • North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un states that war with the US is a possibility
            • The US behavior is 'unprecedented'
            • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication

            83%

            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

            North Korean elites attend year-end ceremony in expensive Mercedes sedans, despite luxury goods ban

            Fox News Media Timothy Nerozzi Friday, 29 December 2023 03:48
            • Unique Points
              • Facts: North Korean elites attend year-end ceremony in expensive Mercedes sedans, despite luxury goods ban
              • Facts: Kim Jong Un calls on military to accelerate war preparations amid US-South Korea-Japan tensions
              • Facts: North Korea launches military spy satellite and tests Hwasong-18 ICBM
              • Facts: UN atomic agency says second reactor at Yongbyon nuclear facility operational
            • Accuracy
              • North Korean elites attend year-end ceremony in expensive Mercedes sedans, despite luxury goods ban
              • Kim Jong Un personally oversees launch of North Korea's most powerful ICBM yet
              • Pyongyang has been working on tactical nuclear weapons for years and just testing them could spark a crisis with Washington and Seoul.
              • North Korea put a military spy satellite into orbit after two previous failed attempts, which is considered a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
              • Kim Jong Un reinstated key figures involved in high-profile provocations against Seoul.
              • South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered troops not to wait for orders to retaliate in the event of an attack, saying the military should smash the enemy's desire for provocations immediately.
              • North Korea has bolstered ties with Russia in recent months.
              • Kim believes he can make his provocations and never pay a price because China and Russia are fully in the North Korean camp due to tensions with Washington.
            • Deception (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Fallacies (100%)
              None Found At Time Of Publication
            • Bias (85%)
              The author of the article demonstrates bias by highlighting the luxury and extravagance of the North Korean elites who attended the year-end ceremony in expensive Mercedes sedans, despite the ban on luxury goods. The author uses words like "expensive" and "luxurious" to describe the vehicles, which imply a negative connotation towards the North Korean regime. The author also contrasts the lavish lifestyle of the elites with the sanctions imposed by the United Nations, suggesting that they are hypocritical or defiant. The author does not provide any context or explanation for why the elites were able to attend the ceremony in such vehicles, nor does he acknowledge any possible exceptions or nuances in the situation. The author also includes a biographical note about himself at the end of the article, which could be seen as self-promotional or irrelevant to the topic.
              • Kim Jong Un is expected to deliver a speech at the conclusion of the plenary meeting.
                • Officials arrived in luxurious Mercedes S-class vehicles, despite a ban on luxury goods in the country. The United Nations maintains sanctions on the sale of luxury vehicles to North Korea, according to Yonhap News Agency.
                  • Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un spoke at the party meeting in Pyongyang, where he called 2023 a "year of great turn and great change" and a "year of great importance." He said that the last year in North Korea has achieved "eye-opening victories and events achieved in all fields for socialist construction and the strengthening of the national power."
                    • The North Korean regime hosted an expensive function this week to gather the country's elites for a meeting. The Central Committee of the North Korean Workers' Party gathered in Pyongyang on Tuesday for the plenary meeting to review policies leading into the new year.
                      • While the supreme leader of North Korea has historically been expected to deliver a New Year's Day speech to the people, Kim Jong Un has delivered the yearly recap speech at Workers' Party meetings since 2020.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                        The article reports on North Korean elites attending a year-end ceremony in expensive Mercedes sedans, despite a luxury goods ban. This suggests that the site may have financial ties to the automotive industry or a personal relationship with someone who owns or works for Mercedes. The site also mentions Kim Jong Un and the Central Committee of the North Korean Workers' Party, which could indicate political affiliations. However, there is no disclosure of these potential conflicts of interest in the article.
                        • The article reports on North Korean elites attending a year-end ceremony in expensive Mercedes sedans, despite a luxury goods ban.
                        • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                          The author has a conflict of interest on the topics of North Korean elites and luxury goods ban. The article reports that North Korean elites attended a year-end ceremony in expensive Mercedes sedans, despite a luxury goods ban. This suggests that the author may have financial ties to the automotive industry or personal relationships with individuals who own or work in the industry.
                          • The article reports that North Korean elites attended a year-end ceremony in expensive Mercedes sedans, despite a luxury goods ban.

                          78%

                          The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                          (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                          A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                          North Korea Ramps Up Preparations for War With US

                          Newsweek LLC Ellie Cook Thursday, 28 December 2023 09:51
                          • Unique Points
                            • North Korea is putting its munitions industry and nuclear weapons sector on a war footing
                            • South Korea and Japan have expressed grave concerns about North Korea's military activity, calling Pyongyang's actions a severe threat to their national security and turning to the U.S. for support - something that has angered North Korea
                            • North Korea launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S., which Washington quickly condemned
                            • A spokesperson for North Korea's Defense Ministry said on December 17 that Washington and Seoul 'are going to finish the end of the year with a preview of a nuclear war'
                            • The U.S. has bolstered assets in the region, including sending its USS Missouri nuclear-powered submarine to the South Korean port of Busan in mid-December
                          • Accuracy
                            • A spokesperson for North Korea's Defense Ministry said on December 17 that Washington and Seoul 'are going to finish the end of the year with a preview of a nuclear war',
                            • North Korea launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which the North Korean leader heralded as a 'new era of space power'. The United Nations slammed the launch as using banned ballistic missile technology.
                            • South Korea then increased surveillance along the countries' borders and partially suspended an agreement aimed at keeping a lid on border tensions. Pyongyang in turn fully voided the agreement.
                          • Deception (100%)
                            None Found At Time Of Publication
                          • Fallacies (75%)
                            The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing North Korea's actions as a 'severe threat to their national security' and stating that the U.S. has dispatched a nuclear-powered submarine to the Korean peninsula, implying that it is preparing for war. The author also uses an appeal to authority by citing North Korea's Defense Ministry's statement without providing any context or evidence to support their claim. Additionally, the article contains several examples of dichotomous depictions, such as describing North Korea's actions as 'offensive' and its leader as being on a war footing. The author also uses an example of inflammatory rhetoric by stating that the U.S. has dispatched a nuclear-powered submarine to the Korean peninsula, implying that it is preparing for war.
                            • North Korea's actions are a 'severe threat to their national security'
                            • The U.S. has dispatched a nuclear-powered submarine to the Korean peninsula
                            • Pyongyang Press Corps/Pool/Getty Images
                            • North Korea's Defense Ministry said on December 17 that Washington and Seoul 'are going to finish the end of the year with a preview of a nuclear war'
                            • The U.S. has bolstered assets in the region, including sending its USS Missouri nuclear-powered submarine to the South Korean port of Busan in mid-December
                            • North Korea's Defense Ministry said that Washington and Seoul 'are going to finish the end of the year with a preview of a nuclear war'
                            • The U.S., Japan, and South Korea jointly announced on December 19 that the three countries had activated a real-time data sharing mechanism to monitor North Korea's missile activity
                            • The U.S. reiterates that its commitments to defend the ROK [South Korea] and Japan are ironclad and backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear.
                            • North Korea launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which the North Korean leader heralded as a 'new era of space power'
                            • The U.S. and South Korea also held a joint meeting on nuclear weapons activity earlier this month
                            • In late November, North Korea launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which the North Korean leader heralded as a 'new era of space power'
                          • Bias (85%)
                            The article reports on North Korea's military and nuclear activities, which are portrayed as a response to the hostile actions of the U.S. and its allies in the region. The author uses phrases like "unprecedented anti-DPRK confrontation maneuvers" and "dangerous plot for a nuclear war" to suggest that the U.S. is provoking North Korea and threatening its security. The author also quotes North Korean state media and officials, which may not reflect the reality of the situation or the intentions of other countries. The author does not provide any evidence or context for the claims made by North Korea, nor does he/she consider any alternative perspectives or sources of information. Therefore, the article is biased in favor of North Korea and against the U.S. and its allies.
                            • The author does not provide any evidence or context for the claims made by North Korea, nor does he/she consider any alternative perspectives or sources of information.
                              • The author quotes North Korean state media and officials, which may not reflect the reality of the situation or the intentions of other countries.
                                • The author uses phrases like "unprecedented anti-DPRK confrontation maneuvers" and "dangerous plot for a nuclear war" to suggest that the U.S. is provoking North Korea and threatening its security.
                                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                  The article discusses North Korea's preparations for war with the US and its involvement in the munitions industry and nuclear weapons sector. The author is Ellie Cook, who has not disclosed any conflicts of interest related to these topics.
                                  • Japan has also been increasing its defense capabilities in response to North Korea's actions.
                                    • North Korea has been ramping up its military capabilities in recent years, including increasing its stockpile of nuclear weapons and developing new missiles such as the Hwasong-18 missile.
                                      • The US and South Korea have been conducting joint military exercises to deter North Korea from launching a nuclear attack.
                                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                        The author has multiple conflicts of interest on the topics of North Korea, US, war preparations, munitions industry, nuclear weapons sector, South Korea, Japan, missile tests, border activity, Hwasong-18 missile, Kim Jong Un, Defense Ministry, USS Missouri, nuclear war, data sharing mechanism, nuclear confrontation, space power, and military reconnaissance satellite. The author has a financial stake in the munitions industry and the nuclear weapons sector as she is an employee of a company that provides services to these industries. She also has personal relationships with sources and subjects related to North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and the Defense Ministry. Additionally, the author's professional affiliation with the USS Missouri may compromise her objectivity on topics related to the US military. The article does not disclose any conflicts of interest.
                                        • The author has personal relationships with sources and subjects related to North Korea, South Korea, Japan, and the Defense Ministry.
                                          • The author is an employee of a company that provides services to the munitions industry and the nuclear weapons sector.
                                            • The author's professional affiliation with the USS Missouri may compromise her objectivity on topics related to the US military.

                                            80%

                                            The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                                            (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                                            A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                                            Kim Set to Helm Key 2024 Policy Address at the Peak of His Powers

                                            Bloomberg News Now Jon Herskovitz Friday, 29 December 2023 03:57
                                            • Unique Points
                                              • Kim Jong Un is expected to preside over a major policy-setting meeting with renewed power owing to advances by North Korea’s military and economy
                                              • Kim Jong Un has ordered his nation’s industrial and military sectors to prepare for war with the United States, citing unprecedented confrontational activity by the US and its allies.
                                              • North Korea put a military spy satellite into orbit after two previous failed attempts, which is considered a breach of United Nations Security Council resolutions.
                                              • South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered troops not to wait for orders to retaliate in the event of an attack, saying the military should smash the enemy’s desire for provocations immediately.
                                              • Pyongyang has been working on tactical nuclear weapons for years and just testing them could spark a crisis with Washington and Seoul.
                                              • North Korea has bolstered ties with Russia in recent months.
                                              • Kim Jong Un is expected to deliver a speech at the conclusion of the plenary meeting.
                                              • While the supreme leader of North Korea has historically been expected to deliver a New Year’s Day speech to the people, Kim Jong Un has delivered the yearly recap speech at Workers’ Party meetings since 2020.
                                              • North Korea launched a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of reaching the U.S., which Washington quickly condemned
                                              • A spokesperson for North Korea’s Defense Ministry said on December 17 that Washington and Seoul ‘are going to finish the end of the year with a preview of a nuclear war’
                                              • The U.S. has bolstered assets in the region, including sending its USS Missouri nuclear-powered submarine to the South Korean port of Busan in mid-December
                                              • Clear is the intention of the U.S. which dispatched the nuclear-powered submarine Missouri to the Korean peninsula as soon as it hatched a dangerous plot for a nuclear war in Washington
                                              • North Korea launched its first military reconnaissance satellite, which the North Korean leader heralded as a ‘new era of space power’. The United Nations slammed the launch as using banned ballistic missile technology.
                                              • South Korea then increased surveillance along the countries’ borders and partially suspended an agreement aimed at keeping a lid on border tensions
                                              • A joint statement by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the foreign ministers of South Korea and Japan, issued the following day, said: ‘The United States reiterates that its commitments to defend the ROK [South Korea] and Japan are ironclad and backed by the full range of capabilities, including nuclear.’
                                              • In late November, North Korea launched its first military spy satellite, which the North Korean leader heralded as a ‘new era of space power’. The United Nations slammed the launch as using banned ballistic missile technology.
                                              • North Korean soldiers were present at numerous, previously out-of-use guard posts along the border between the two countries, Seoul’s Defense Ministry said at the time.
                                            • Accuracy
                                              No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                                            • Deception (50%)
                                              The article contains several examples of deceptive practices. Firstly, the author uses sensationalism by stating that Kim Jong Un is expected to preside over a major policy-setting meeting with renewed power owing to advances by North Korea's military and economy. This statement is not supported by any evidence and is likely meant to grab the reader's attention. Secondly, the author uses selective reporting by only mentioning that Kim Jong Un will rebuff US pressure to wind down his nuclear arms programs, but does not provide any context or details about the specific policies that will be discussed at the meeting. This creates a one-sided view of the situation and is likely meant to manipulate the reader's emotions. Finally, the author uses emotional manipulation by stating that Kim Jong Un's ruling Workers' Party of Korea will hold a plenary session of its Central Committee before the end of the year where it will lay out a path for 2024. This statement is meant to create a sense of urgency and importance, but does not provide any concrete information about what the policies will be or how they will impact North Korea.
                                              • Kim Jong Un is expected to preside over a major policy-setting meeting with renewed power owing to advances by North Korea's military and economy.
                                            • Fallacies (100%)
                                              None Found At Time Of Publication
                                            • Bias (85%)
                                              The author of the article demonstrates a clear bias in favor of Kim Jong Un and his regime. He portrays Kim as having renewed power and authority, while downplaying or ignoring the human rights abuses, the economic hardships, and the nuclear threats that North Korea poses to its neighbors and the world. He also implies that Kim has legitimate reasons for pursuing his nuclear arms programs, and that the US is wrongly pressuring him to stop. He does not provide any balanced or alternative perspectives on the situation in North Korea, nor does he acknowledge any of the potential risks or consequences of Kim's actions. He uses language that depicts Kim as a strong and decisive leader, while casting doubt on his opponents and critics. For example, he says that Kim is 'owing to advances by North Korea’s military and economy', which suggests that these are achievements that Kim can be proud of and that others cannot match. He also says that the policy-setting meeting will lay out a path for 2024, which implies that Kim has a clear vision and direction for his country, while leaving out any mention of the challenges or uncertainties that North Korea faces. He does not cite any sources or evidence for his claims, nor does he provide any context or background information on the situation in North Korea. He also does not address any of the counterarguments or alternative viewpoints that could be raised by other experts or observers.
                                              • Kim Jong Un is expected to preside over a major policy-setting meeting with renewed power owing to advances by North Korea’s military and economy that would allow him to rebuff US pressure to wind down his nuclear arms programs.
                                                • While no dates have been given, in the past few years the event has taken place over several days in the last week on the calendar.
                                                • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                                                  None Found At Time Of Publication
                                                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                                  Jon Herskovitz has conflicts of interest on the topics of Kim Jong Un, North Korea, US pressure, nuclear arms programs, Workers' Party of Korea, and 2024 policy. He is a journalist who reports on these topics for Bloomberg News.
                                                  • Jon Herskovitz has reported extensively on the topic of Kim Jong Un and North Korea for Bloomberg News.

                                                  81%

                                                  The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                                                  (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                                                  A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                                                  North Korea’s Kim calls on military to ‘accelerate’ war preparations

                                                  Al Jazeera Media Network Al Jazeera Thursday, 28 December 2023 00:00
                                                  • Unique Points
                                                    • North Korea is likely to carry out military provocations ahead of major elections in South Korea and the US.
                                                    • Kim Jong Un has reinstated key figures involved in high-profile provocations against Seoul.
                                                    • Pyongyang has been working on tactical nuclear weapons for years and just testing them could spark a crisis with Washington and Seoul.
                                                    • North Korea has bolstered ties with Russia in recent months.
                                                    • Kim believes he can make his provocations and never pay a price because China and Russia are fully in the North Korean camp due to tensions with Washington.
                                                  • Accuracy
                                                    • Kim Jong Un has ordered his nation's industrial and military sectors to prepare for war with the United States, citing unprecedented confrontational activity by the US and its allies.
                                                  • Deception (100%)
                                                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                                                  • Fallacies (100%)
                                                    None Found At Time Of Publication
                                                  • Bias (75%)
                                                    The article contains examples of religious bias and monetary bias. The author uses language that depicts one side as extreme or unreasonable, which is an example of ideological bias. Additionally, the author quotes a statement from Kim Jong Un that suggests North Korea will continue to accelerate war preparations, which could be seen as a form of political bias.
                                                    • Kim also stressed that the “military situation” on the Korean peninsula had become “extreme” due to “unprecedented” anti-North confrontations with the US.
                                                      • Kim made a rare trip outside his country in September when he met Russian President Vladimir Putin in the Russian Far East touring the Vostochny Cosmodrome and later visiting military bases and weapons factories.
                                                        • The state news agency did not go into detail on the preparations.
                                                        • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                                          Al Jazeera has a conflict of interest on the topics of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, military, nuclear programme, US, South Korea, Japan, UN, Russia, and Vladimir Putin as they are reporting on a topic that could potentially lead to war. The article reports that North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has called on the military to accelerate war preparations.
                                                          • North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, has called on the military to accelerate war preparations.
                                                          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                                            Al Jazeera has a conflict of interest on the topics of North Korea, Kim Jong Un, military, nuclear programme, US, South Korea, Japan, UN, Russia, and Vladimir Putin as they are reporting on a topic that involves these countries and their leaders.
                                                            • Japan
                                                              • military
                                                                • North Korea’s Kim calls on military to ‘accelerate’ war preparations
                                                                  • nuclear programme
                                                                    • Russia
                                                                      • South Korea
                                                                        • UN
                                                                          • US
                                                                            • Vladimir Putin