Kim Jong-un: ‘Nuclear Button is On My Desk’
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said Monday that the United States should be aware that his country’s nuclear forces are now a reality, not a threat.
But he also struck a conciliatory tone in his New Year’s address, wishing success for the Winter Olympics set to begin in South Korea in February and suggesting the North may send a delegation to participate. Kim, wearing a Western-style grey suit and tie, said in his customary annual address that his country had achieved the historic feat of “completing” its nuclear forces and added that he has a nuclear button on his desk.
“We must mass-produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles and speed up their deployment,” said Kim, insisting the weapons programme was a defensive measure.
“We should always keep readiness to take immediate nuclear counter-attacks against the enemy’s scheme for a nuclear war.
“The US should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table. The entire area of the US mainland is within our nuclear strike range.
“The United States can never start a war against me and our country.”
US President Donald Trump has responded to each test with his own amplified declarations, threatening to “totally destroy” Pyongyang and taunting Kim, saying the North Korean leader was on “a suicide mission”. But far from persuading Kim to give up his nuclear drive, analysts say Trump’s tough talk may have prompted the North Korean leader to push through with his dangerous quest.
Kim also called for improved relations with the South, saying the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics would be a good opportunity to showcase the country’s status. He also said the two Koreas could meet urgently to discuss the North sending a delegation.
“The Winter Olympic Games that will be held soon in the South will be a good opportunity to display the status of the Korean nation and we sincerely wish that the event will be held with good results,” he said.
South Korea’s presidential office said it welcomed the proposal to hold talks between government officials over the issue of North Korea sending a delegation to the Olympics.
The office of President Moon Jae-in said the successful hosting of the Pyeongchang Olympics would contribute to peace and harmony not only on the Korean Peninsula and in Northeast Asia, but in the entire world.