North Korea: Many Countries Waste Time Dealing With US, Only Our Country Can Rock The World

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un with his sister Kim Yo-jong and senior officials attend a North Korean missile test launch. (Source: KCNA)

JAKARTA - North Korea claims to be one of the few countries in the world that has advanced nuclear weapons and missiles, the only country that has opposed the United States by destabilizing the world through a series of missile tests.

North Korea conducted a series of missile tests in January, with at least seven launches carried out by Pyongyang, including hypersonic and ballistic missiles, the last of which was carried out in 2017.

In a statement issued Tuesday, North Korea's Foreign Ministry said the series of tests since the New Year represented a remarkable achievement, strengthening North Korea's war deterrence.

The statement also cited the Hwasong-15, a long-range intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) ever launched by North Korea, which had not been fired since its first test in 2017, believed to have the range to deliver a nuclear warhead to any region of the United States. .

"In today's world, where many countries waste time dealing with the United States with blind obedience and obedience, only our country on this planet can shake the world by firing missiles that the mainland US is within range of," the statement read. February.

North Korean missile test. (Source: KCNA)

"There are more than 200 countries in the world, but few have hydrogen bombs, intercontinental ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles," the statement continued.

Asked for comment, the US State Department reiterated its earlier statement that it has no hostile intentions towards North Korea and is pressing for a return to dialogue, a call Pyongyang has consistently ignored.

A State Department spokesman called North Korea a threat to international peace and security and global non-proliferation efforts.

"The United States has a vital interest in deterring (North Korea), defending against provocation or the use of force, limiting the reach of its most dangerous weapons programs, and most importantly keeping the American people, our deployed forces, and our allies safe. that.

Meanwhile, Jenny Town, director of 38 North, the Washington-based North Korea program, said the fact the North Korean statement came from the State Department may make the statement less threatening than it might appear.

To note, North Korea celebrates the anniversary of its army's founding on Tuesday, a holiday that has sometimes featured large military parades with missiles and other weapons in previous years.

However, there have been no reports of this year's parade, and state media said the day was marked by senior military leaders visiting the graves of the country's former rulers, among other events.

The United States asked North Korea on Monday to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, to prioritize the needs of its own people.