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North Korea's Kim Jong-un issues threats and olive branch | North Korea's Kim Jong-un issues threats and olive branch |
(35 minutes later) | |
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has said he has a nuclear launch button on his desk at all times so the US "will never be able to start a war". | North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has said he has a nuclear launch button on his desk at all times so the US "will never be able to start a war". |
In a televised new year speech, he said the entire US was within range of North Korean nuclear weapons, adding: "This is reality, not a threat." | In a televised new year speech, he said the entire US was within range of North Korean nuclear weapons, adding: "This is reality, not a threat." |
But he also offered a potential olive branch to South Korea, suggesting he was "open to dialogue" . | But he also offered a potential olive branch to South Korea, suggesting he was "open to dialogue" . |
North Korea may also send a team to the Winter Olympics in Seoul, he said. | North Korea may also send a team to the Winter Olympics in Seoul, he said. |
When asked by reporters to respond to Mr Kim's threats, US President Donald Trump said, "we'll see, we'll see". | |
He was speaking at the sidelines of New Year's Eve celebrations at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. | |
North Korea has come under increased sanctions over the past year because of its nuclear weapons programme and repeated testing of conventional missiles. | North Korea has come under increased sanctions over the past year because of its nuclear weapons programme and repeated testing of conventional missiles. |
The politically isolated state has carried out six underground nuclear tests and has demonstrated missiles of increasing power. | The politically isolated state has carried out six underground nuclear tests and has demonstrated missiles of increasing power. |
In November, it tested the Hwasong-15, which achieved altitudes of around 4,475km (2,780 miles) - more than 10 times the height of the International Space Station. | In November, it tested the Hwasong-15, which achieved altitudes of around 4,475km (2,780 miles) - more than 10 times the height of the International Space Station. |
The country claims to have developed a fully deployable nuclear weapon, though there is still some international scepticism about its true capacity to carry out such an attack. | The country claims to have developed a fully deployable nuclear weapon, though there is still some international scepticism about its true capacity to carry out such an attack. |
In his televised speech, Mr Kim re-emphasised his focus on the weapons programme, saying his country must "mass produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles and speed up their deployment". | In his televised speech, Mr Kim re-emphasised his focus on the weapons programme, saying his country must "mass produce nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles and speed up their deployment". |
But he also suggested that the relationship between North and South Korea - still technically at war - could be eased in the coming year. | But he also suggested that the relationship between North and South Korea - still technically at war - could be eased in the coming year. |
"The year 2018 is a significant year for both the North and the South, with the North marking the 70th anniversary of its birth and the South hosting the Winter Olympics." | "The year 2018 is a significant year for both the North and the South, with the North marking the 70th anniversary of its birth and the South hosting the Winter Olympics." |
This is being seen as a marked change in tone after a year of particularly aggressive rhetoric. | This is being seen as a marked change in tone after a year of particularly aggressive rhetoric. |
Mr Kim said he would also consider sending a delegation to the Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February - a gesture which South Korea has previously suggested would be welcome. | Mr Kim said he would also consider sending a delegation to the Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February - a gesture which South Korea has previously suggested would be welcome. |
"North Korea's participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to show unity of the people and we wish the Games will be a success," said Mr Kim. | "North Korea's participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to show unity of the people and we wish the Games will be a success," said Mr Kim. |
"Officials from the two Koreas may urgently meet to discuss the possibility." | "Officials from the two Koreas may urgently meet to discuss the possibility." |