Meanwhile, North Korea is continuing to boast
about the success of its latest ballistic
missile launch... although experts remain
divided on whether it was indeed successful.
Proudly touting its defense-related achievements
on state-run TV,... Kim Jong-un vowed to make
North Korea the strongest nuclear power in
the world.
Park Hee-jun with more.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has vowed
to make North Korea "the world's strongest
nuclear power."
The state-run Korean Central News Agency reported
on Wednesday that he made the remarks during
the 8th Conference of Munitions Industry in
Pyongyang,... which was held to celebrate
the regime's experiences and accomplishments.
And one of those key accomplishments was,
of course, the recently launched Hwasong-15
ICBM, which is said to be capable of reaching
anywhere in the United States.
According to the report, Kim Jong-un said
that the country "will victoriously advance
and leap as the strongest nuclear and military
power in the world."
Kim added that the successful weapons development
marks a historic victory for the North Korean
people, but one that came at a great cost.
He went on to award the developers of the
Hwasong-15 on the last day of the special
military conference.
This is the first time that North Korean state
media has publically reported on the conference.
(Korean) -
"Kim's character of wanting to show off his
achievements may have led to the event being
made public.
And by declaring that North Korea is a full-fledged
nuclear power,... the leader intends to put
the nation in a position where it can negotiate
at the international table."
Experts say that the unprecedented coverage
aims to solidify North Korea as a nuclear
power,... and that the regime has no intention
of scaling down its weapons program.
Park Hee-jun, Arirang News.
