Amid N Korea threat, Guam radio stations accidentally trigger emergency alert

But Pyongyang's official media, KCNA reported that Kim Jong-Un made no move towards an immediate strike.

Update: 2017-08-15 11:28 GMT
Kim's comments come as global powers scramble for a response to the crisis, with the US backing stringent economic and diplomatic sanctions on Kim's regime to halt its nuclear drive. (Photo: File)

Hagatna (Guam): Guam residents received a jolt on Tuesday after two radio stations accidentally issued emergency warnings to indicate an imminent threat or attack, at a time when the US territory is already on edge over North Korean threats to fire missiles into nearby waters.

Several listeners were reported to have called police after the stations triggered the Emergency Alert Broadcast System, issuing "a civil danger" warning at 12:25 am local time that was later confirmed to be a mistake.

North Korea had said it would finalise plans by mid-August on whether to fire missiles at Guam in response to "fire and fury" threats from US President Donald Trump.

Read: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un briefed on plan to fire missiles near Guam

But Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on Tuesday reported that Kim Jong-un had examined the plans but made no move towards an immediate strike.

"Residents and visitors are reminded to remain calm," said Guam's homeland security adviser George Charfauros. "There is no change in threat level, we continue business as usual."

Read: US official tells Guam to 'enjoy paradise', ignore North Korean threat

Homeland Security confirmed in a statement that the "unauthorised test was not connected to any emergency, threat or warning" and it was working with the radio stations "to ensure the human error will not occur again".

Kim on Tuesday hinted he would hold off on the missile strike, saying he would "watch a little more the foolish and stupid conduct of the Yankees spending a hard time of every minute of their miserable lot".

Tags:    

Similar News