This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-42531574
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
North Korea's Kim Jong-un issues threats and olive branch | North Korea's Kim Jong-un issues threats and olive branch |
(about 2 hours later) | |
North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un has said a nuclear launch button is "always on my table", warning the US it 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". | |
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". | 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. | 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 criticism and 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 over the years 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. | |
"We should melt the frozen North-South relations, thus adorning this meaningful year as a year to be specially recorded in the history of the nation," he said. | |
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. |
The South's President Moon Jae-in last month suggested delaying an annual joint military drill with US troops until after the Games. The North usually denounces any such exercises as a rehearsal for war. | |
"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." |
The only two North Korean athletes who qualified for the Games are figure skaters Ryom Tae-Ok and Kim Ju-Sik. | The only two North Korean athletes who qualified for the Games are figure skaters Ryom Tae-Ok and Kim Ju-Sik. |
The North has missed the official deadline to confirm their participation but the two could still compete with an invitation by the International Olympic Committee. | The North has missed the official deadline to confirm their participation but the two could still compete with an invitation by the International Olympic Committee. |