Kim Jong-un New Year's speech: 'US mainland in our nuclear strike range - Open to talks with South Korea'

RT
Mon, 01 Jan 2018 19:09 UTC

© KCNA / AFP

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has declared his county a nuclear power in possession of technology capable of striking the US mainland should there be a need.

"The US mainland is in our nuclear strike zone," Kim said in his New Year's message which was broadcast on Chosun Central TV. "The United States will never start a war with me and our country," and Pyongyang has "completed the creation of North Korea's nuclear forces," he added.

Tensions between Washington and Pyongyang reached unprecedented levels last year, as the North continued to pursue its missile and nuclear programs. Washington said all options, including a military solution, are on the table to tame North Korea's nuclear ambitions. While the US is still on course to find a diplomatic solution to the crisis, Pyongyang has so far refused to negotiate its nuclear status.

In 2018, Kim promised to focus his country's efforts on the "operational deployment" of nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles. At the same time, the North Korean leader said Washington"will never" be able to start a war of aggression against Pyongyang as long as the North remains a nuclear power.

Pyongyang had a busy time developing its nuclear and ballistic programs over the course of 2017, having staged 16 missile tests and conducting its sixth and most powerful nuclear test on September 3.

In light of recent success in his nuclear endeavor, Kim called for the "mass-production" of nukes and missiles to be used as a deterrent against the US and its allies.

However, despite maintaining a belligerent posture towards the US, Kim said that the North is open to talks with S. Korea. North Korea, he said, is also willing to take part in PyeongChang Winter Olympics scheduled to begin in February 2018.

Comment: After issuing threats to the US in his New Year's message, Kim Jong-un offered some hope of a thaw in relations with South Korea, saying Pyongyang is open to talks, while wishing success for the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

"The entire United States is within range of our nuclear weapons, and a nuclear button is always on my desk. This is reality, not a threat," he said in a televised speech, adding that "these weapons will be used only if our security is threatened."

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However, the North Korean leader softened his tone regarding South Korea in the same speech.

"When it comes to North-South relations, we should lower the military tensions on the Korean Peninsula to create a peaceful environment,"Kim said. He added that "both the North and the South should make efforts [for peace]."

Reaching out to South Korea, which is preparing to host the Olympics for the second time in its history, Kim said Pyongyang would utilize the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games to start reconciliation with Seoul, and even consider sending a national sports team.

"North Korea's participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to showcase the national pride and we wish the Games will be a success. Officials from the two Koreas may urgently meet to discuss the possibility," said Kim, dressed in a western-style suit and tie instead of his ordinary semi-military fatigues.

Meanwhile, Lee Hee-beom, president of the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee, told Reuters the hosts welcome North Korea's participation: "The [organizing committee] will discuss relevant matters with the South Korean government as well as the International Olympic Committee."

Pyongyang's peace message may indicate an opening for inter-Korean dialogue after months of spiraling tensions, which have seen Washington threaten military action in response to North Korea's progressing nuclear program. At the end of last year, the UN Security Council approved its strongest sanctions so far on North Korea, a move that Pyongyang described as an "act of war."