To Continue Developing His Attacking Ability, Kim Jong-un: Resisting Threats And Extortion By Imperialists

JAKARTA - North Korea will continue to develop a formidable strike capability, which cannot be traded or sold for anything, Leader Kim Jong-un said, state media said on Monday, as he visited workers involved with the country's largest missile test.

Leader Kim met with officials, scientists, technicians, and workers who contributed to Thursday's launch of the missile, which North Korea says is its largest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), state news agency KCNA reported.

"Only when one is equipped with formidable striking capabilities, overwhelming military power that no one can stop, one can prevent war, guarantee the security of the country, restrain and control all threats and blackmail by imperialists," Kim said according to Reuters report, March 28.

While personally overseeing Thursday's tests, Leader Kim said the new ICBMs were to help prevent any military moves by the United States, which technically remains at war with North Korea after the 1950-53 Korean War ended in an armistice rather than a peace treaty.

Washington has been trying to pressure Pyongyang into giving up or reducing its arsenal of nuclear weapons and ICBMs, which may strike targets inside the United States.

But Leader Kim said his self-defense troops cannot be exchanged or bought for anything, will be held firm without the slightest hesitation despite harsh trials and hardships.

"North Korea will continue to build a more perfect and stronger strategic force," said Leader Kim, referring to the country's nuclear power.

Earlier, the United States said on Friday last week it would push for UN sanctions against North Korea to be strengthened, over "increasingly dangerous provocations." However, China and Russia signaled opposition and, on the other hand, argued for the measures to be relaxed.

North Korea said Thursday's missile was a Hwasong-17, with Japan and South Korea confirming flight data showed the launch flew higher and longer than previous North Korean tests.

But analysts said state media coverage appeared to be trying to miss footage from earlier launches, and South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported on Sunday that intelligence officials in Seoul and Washington believe North Korea actually tested the older and slightly smaller Hwasong-15 ICBM. smaller.