North Korea could kill THOUSANDS in automatic retaliation to US strike, defector warns

Donald Trump’s administration has repeatedly touted a targeted strike as an option to end Kim Jong-un’s missile programme.

Such an attack could lead to tens of thousands of deaths in the first hours of an all-out regional conflict.

Defector Thae Yong Ho, who formerly worked at the North Korean Embassy in London, outlined the risks of a strike against the hermit kingdom.

Pyongyang would unleash a barrage of artillery and short-range missiles attack on targets in South Korea, Thae said.

South Korea’s capital, Seoul, has a population of nearly 10 million and is around 25 miles away from the frontier between the rival nations.

Thae warned: ”North Korean officers are trained to press their button without any further instructions from the general command if anything happens on their side.”

The high-ranking defector was speaking to a congressional hearing in Washington as he called for the US to exercise “soft power” over force.

He claimed there would be a “human sacrifice” from an attack with the threat of “tens of thousands” of artillery guns and missiles.

Thae said: “We have to remember that tens of millions of South Korean population are living 70 to 80 kilometres away from this military demarcation line.”

Kim could unleash his devastating arsenal of biological and chemical weapons as well as his nuclear weapons in a war with South Korea.

Analysts have argued that a regional conflict and the associated costs would be preferable to North Korea acquiring a nuclear ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.

Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth has asked the US President to publish official estimates of the loss of life that could result from a conflict on the peninsula.

She said: “I fear the country is being deprived of an accurate assessment of what war against the DPRK would entail.”

The warning came as NATO called for countries to unite against the North Korean “global threat” as World War 3 tensions rise.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg launched the urgent calls during a meeting in Seoul with South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha.

He said: “It’s a global threat. It’s a big challenge for the Republic of Korea being so close.

“But it’s also a challenge for the rest of the world because North Korea is now developing more longer-range missiles able to reach both North America and Europe.

“This is another example that security is inter-connected and global threats require global responses.”

“Therefore we should look into how we can work together on global challenges.

“The Republic of Korea is one of NATO’s longest-standing partners outside Europe and with tension and challenges related to North Korea and many other issues, it’s important we are able to strengthen and develop our partnerships.”

Ms Kang showed her appreciation for NATO support and insisted that further help is needed as the rogue nation continues to threaten further provocations.