His country's scientists called for expanding and strengthening the nuclear deterrent

North Korean leader: We seek to have the most powerful nuclear power in the world

North Korea's leader spoke of an unparalleled power in a century.

EPA

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said that his country aims to possess the most powerful nuclear power in the world, calling on scientists in his country to continue expanding and strengthening the nuclear deterrence at a very rapid pace.

He added, during his promotion, dozens of army officers who participated in the launch of his country's largest ballistic missile recently, that "building the nuclear force aims to protect the dignity and sovereignty of the state and the people in a reliable manner, and his country's ultimate goal is to possess the most powerful strategic force in the world, the absolute force." unprecedented in the century.

The announcement came after Kim watched the test-launch of the new "Hwasong-17" intercontinental ballistic missile and his pledge to confront US nuclear threats with nuclear weapons on November 18.

Kim described the Hwasong-17 as "the world's most powerful strategic weapon" and said it showed North Korea's determination and ability to eventually build the world's strongest army.

Kim added that his country's scientists had made a "brilliant leap forward in developing technology for mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic missiles."

Taking pictures with scientists, engineers, military officials and other test participants, he noted that he expects them to continue expanding and strengthening the country's nuclear deterrence at a very fast pace.

Because of the Hwasong-17's ability to reach the US mainland, its launch prompted Washington to call for a presidential statement from the UN Security Council to hold North Korea accountable for its missile tests, which are prohibited by Security Council resolutions.

Missiles capable of flying more than 5,500 km are considered intercontinental ballistic missiles.

United Nations resolutions prohibit North Korea from testing intercontinental ballistic missiles and other ballistic missiles that, depending on their design, can carry a nuclear warhead.

The Korean Central News Agency said that the missile "clearly proved to the world that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a complete nuclear power capable of standing up against the nuclear supremacy of the Americans, and fully demonstrated its strength as the most powerful intercontinental missile country."

In addition to the promotions granted to participants in the armaments program, the official North Korean news agency reported that the "Hero of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea" medal was awarded to the vehicle that launched the missile.

And North Korea announced last September that “its status as a nuclear power is irreversible,” thus closing the door completely to any negotiations on its disarmament, then Pyongyang promised the United States a nuclear response in the event of an attack targeting its territory.

Seoul and Washington expect Pyongyang to soon conduct a nuclear test, which will be the seventh in its history and the first in five years.

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