Humanity is drifting into one of the most dangerous periods in history. The nuclear weapons stockpile across the globe is at an all-time high as&nbsp;deteriorating international relations give rise to increased nuclear sabre-rattling, a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) has revealed.&nbsp;

There are an&nbsp;estimated&nbsp;12,512 nuclear warheads globally, up 86 from a year ago,&nbsp;of which 9,756 are military stockpiles, ready for potential use at any moment, at the press of a button.&nbsp;The number of deployed warheads, 3,844, was also up from the 3,732 warheads, a year ago.&nbsp;

Russia and US make up almost 90 per cent of the nuclear warhead arsenal.&nbsp;Moscow currently leads the chart with 4,489&nbsp; warheads while Washington&nbsp;comes behind in second with 3,708&nbsp;warheads. Additionally, the both have more than 1,000 warheads, previously retired from military service.&nbsp;

“We are approaching, or maybe have already reached, the end of a long period of the number of nuclear weapons worldwide declining,” said Sipri Director Dan Smith.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/russia-vs-the-west-what-are-tactical-nuclear-weapons-russia-ukraine-war-596707">Watch |&nbsp;Russia vs The West: What are tactical nuclear weapons? | Russia-Ukraine war</a>

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The numbers, however, may still paint an opaque picture. Nearly every country has reduced their level of transparency, ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;

The rise in nuclear warheads comes despite the UN's five permanent security council members releasing a joint statement in 2021 saying, "nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought".&nbsp;

<h2>China increased numbers exponentially&nbsp;</h2>

60 of the new warheads were being held by China. It increased its stockpile from 350 to 410 warheads within a year. In the backdrop of Taiwan tension, Beijing is preparing to triple its&nbsp;nuclear warheads arsenal to 900 by 2035, according to multiple reports.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-what-are-tactical-nuclear-weapons-and-how-russia-can-use-it-575924">Also read |&nbsp;Explained: What are tactical nuclear weapons, and how Russia may use them?</a>

The current plan is to raise the number of nuclear warheads to 550 by 2027, the centenary of the foundation of the armed forces, and later take it to 900 by 2035.&nbsp;

“China has started a significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal. It is increasingly difficult to square this trend with China’s declared aim of having only the minimum nuclear forces needed to maintain its national security,"&nbsp;Hans M Kristensen,&nbsp;an associate senior fellow with Sipri’s weapons of mass destruction programme was quoted as saying by The Guardian.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-to-triple-its-nuclear-warheads-by-2025-report-561307">Also&nbsp;read |&nbsp;China to triple its nuclear warheads by 2035: Report</a>

The think tank added that after 30 years of the number of nuclear warheads coming down, the process has come to an end now and the trend reversed.

Since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, numerous threats of a nuclear winter have been espoused. Experts believe that humankind sits at a very delicate juncture where one wrong move of starting a nuclear war could wipe out the entire race from the face of the planet.&nbsp;Thus it is necessary that the global nuclear stockpile&nbsp;be&nbsp;regulated.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Humanity is drifting into one of the most dangerous periods in history. The nuclear weapons stockpile across the globe is at an all-time high as deteriorating international relations give rise to increased nuclear sabre-rattling, a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) has revealed.

Humanity is drifting into one of the most dangerous periods in history. The nuclear weapons stockpile across the globe is at an all-time high as deteriorating international relations give rise to increased nuclear sabre-rattling, a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri) has revealed. There are an estimated 12,512 nuclear warheads globally, up 86 from a year ago, of which 9,756 are military stockpiles, ready for potential use at any moment, at the press of a button. The number of deployed warheads, 3,844, was also up from the 3,732 warheads, a year ago. Russia and US make up almost 90 per cent of the nuclear warhead arsenal. Moscow currently leads the chart with 4,489 warheads while Washington comes behind in second with 3,708 warheads. Additionally, the both have more than 1,000 warheads, previously retired from military service. “We are approaching, or maybe have already reached, the end of a long period of the number of nuclear weapons worldwide declining,” said Sipri Director Dan Smith. Watch | Russia vs The West: What are tactical nuclear weapons? | Russia-Ukraine war × The numbers, however, may still paint an opaque picture. Nearly every country has reduced their level of transparency, ever since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The rise in nuclear warheads comes despite the UN's five permanent security council members releasing a joint statement in 2021 saying, "nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought". China increased numbers exponentially 60 of the new warheads were being held by China. It increased its stockpile from 350 to 410 warheads within a year. In the backdrop of Taiwan tension, Beijing is preparing to triple its nuclear warheads arsenal to 900 by 2035, according to multiple reports. Also read | Explained: What are tactical nuclear weapons, and how Russia may use them? The current plan is to raise the number of nuclear warheads to 550 by 2027, the centenary of the foundation of the armed forces, and later take it to 900 by 2035. “China has started a significant expansion of its nuclear arsenal. It is increasingly difficult to square this trend with China’s declared aim of having only the minimum nuclear forces needed to maintain its national security," Hans M Kristensen, an associate senior fellow with Sipri’s weapons of mass destruction programme was quoted as saying by The Guardian. Also read | China to triple its nuclear warheads by 2035: Report The think tank added that after 30 years of the number of nuclear warheads coming down, the process has come to an end now and the trend reversed. Since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, numerous threats of a nuclear winter have been espoused. Experts believe that humankind sits at a very delicate juncture where one wrong move of starting a nuclear war could wipe out the entire race from the face of the planet. Thus it is necessary that the global nuclear stockpile be regulated. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Peace in our time? Nuclear weapons stockpile rising, says thinktank

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Tuesday that it had "no credible indications" of an Iranian nuclear weapons programme.&nbsp;

The IAEA added that "its consideration of this issue was closed". &nbsp;&nbsp;

The statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered "new proof" of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, and as US President Donald Trump mulls over the prospect of pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal signed between six Western powers and Iran.&nbsp;

Iran has since called Netanyahu an "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/iran-netanyahu-an-infamous-liar-comments-aimed-to-influence-trump---134057">infamous liar</a>", saying Netanyahu's proof is nothing more than old news.&nbsp;

Iran added that Netanyahu's only aim is to influence Trump.&nbsp;

Iran says, and has always said, that it is not trying to build nuclear weapons. In 2015, it agreed to curb its nuclear energy programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump however has for the longest time threatened to pull out of the Obama-era deal, saying it is "the worst deal ever".&nbsp;

Trump has repeatedly accused Iran of flouting the agreement.&nbsp;

He has also said that the deal's "sunset clauses" — which would see restrictions on Iran's nuclear enrichment program lifted after 2025 — are unacceptable. And he has accused Iran of not halting its ballistic missile program. 
&nbsp;

The UN's nuclear watchdog added that 'its consideration of this issue was closed'. The statement from the IAEA came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered 'new proof' of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme

The UN's nuclear watchdog said Tuesday that it had "no credible indications" of an Iranian nuclear weapons programme. The IAEA added that "its consideration of this issue was closed". The statement from the International Atomic Energy Agency came a day after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu offered "new proof" of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons programme, and as US President Donald Trump mulls over the prospect of pulling out of the 2015 nuclear deal signed between six Western powers and Iran. Iran has since called Netanyahu an "infamous liar", saying Netanyahu's proof is nothing more than old news. Iran added that Netanyahu's only aim is to influence Trump. Iran says, and has always said, that it is not trying to build nuclear weapons. In 2015, it agreed to curb its nuclear energy programme in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. US President Donald Trump however has for the longest time threatened to pull out of the Obama-era deal, saying it is "the worst deal ever". Trump has repeatedly accused Iran of flouting the agreement. He has also said that the deal's "sunset clauses" — which would see restrictions on Iran's nuclear enrichment program lifted after 2025 — are unacceptable. And he has accused Iran of not halting its ballistic missile program.

'No credible indications' of Iranian nuclear weapons programme: IAEA

North Korea has no intention of meeting US&nbsp;officials during the Winter Olympics that start in South Korea on Friday, state media reported, dampening hopes the Games will help resolve a tense standoff over the North`s nuclear weapons programme.

U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who described North Korea as the world`s most tyrannical regime on Wednesday, flies into South Korea on Thursday ahead of the opening ceremony in the mountain resort of Pyeongchang, just 80 km (50 miles) from the heavily armed border with the reclusive North.&nbsp;

The ceremony will also be attended by a senior delegation of North Korean officials, including the younger sister of leader Kim Jong Un and the North`s nominal head of state, Kim Yong Nam.

The sister, Kim Yo Jong, and other members of her entourage will travel by private jet to Seoul`s Incheon International Airport on Friday afternoon, North Korea informed the South on Thursday.

&quot;We have never begged for dialogue with the U.S. nor in the future, too,&quot; the North`s KCNA news agency reported, citing Jo Yong Sam, director-general of the North American department of North Korea`s foreign ministry.

&quot;Explicitly speaking, we have no intention to meet with the U.S. side during the stay in South Korea ... Our delegation`s visit to South Korea is only to take part in the Olympics and hail its successful holding.&quot;

Pence said the United States had not requested talks with North Korean officials but left open the possibility of some contact.

&quot;But if I have any contact with them, in any context, over the next two days, my message will be the same as it was here today: North Korea needs to, once and for all, abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile ambition,&quot; Pence told reporters as he left Japan.&nbsp;

South Korea wants to use the Olympics to re-engage with North Korea and open the way for talks to resolve one of the world`s most dangerous crises, in which U.S. President Donald Trump and Pyongyang have swapped bellicose threats of nuclear war.

Pence had said after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Wednesday that Washington would soon unveil &quot;the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever&quot;.

In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters that China saw the Olympics as a first step towards &quot;everyday, uninterrupted&quot; dialogue.

All sides, not just the two Koreas, needed to work hard and dialogue between the United States and North Korea should be expanded for this to happen, Wang said.

&quot;You can&rsquo;t have it that one person opens the door and another closes it,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

Military parade

North Korea marked the founding anniversary of its army with a large military parade in Pyongyang on Thursday, a government official told Reuters, having last month changed the date of the celebration to the eve of the Olympics.

The official asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue.

Domestic media reports said the parade was smaller than those of previous years.

Pence will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Seoul on Thursday. On Friday, before he attends the Olympic opening ceremony, he will visit a memorial for 46 South Korean sailors killed in 2010 in the sinking of a warship that Seoul blamed on a North Korean torpedo attack.

Pence is taking the father of Otto Warmbier, an American student who died last year after being imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months.

Kim Yo Jong, the 28-year-old sister of the North Korean leader, will be sitting in the same stadium as VIP guests along with ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam.

She will be the first member of the Kim family to cross the border into the South. Kim Yo Jong is a propaganda official and was blacklisted last year by the U.S. Treasury Department over alleged human rights abuses and censorship.

Japan`s Abe, whose nation has been within range of North Korean missiles for decades, will also attend the ceremony, adding to seating complications for the hosts.

South Korea asked the United Nations on Wednesday for an exemption to allow a U.N.-sanctioned North Korean official, Choe Hwi, to attend the opening ceremony with Kim Yo Jong.

The Unification Ministry in Seoul said no decision had been made yet on Choe and Pyongyang had not mentioned any change in their plans to send him.

The U.N. Security Council, which has slapped a series of sanctions on North Korea for its weapons programmes, imposed a travel ban and asset freeze Choe last year when he was vice director of the Workers` Party of Korea Propaganda and Agitation Department.

A group of 280 North Koreans arrived in South Korea on Wednesday, including a 229-member cheer squad, taekwondo performers, journalists and the sports minister.

Preliminary competition at the Games began on Thursday, with events including curling and ski jumping.

Organisers have already been battling some challenges, including a stomach virus that has hit dozens of staff and a fire near the Olympic media village on Thursday that produced thick black smoke but was quickly extinguished.

The ceremony will also be attended by a senior delegation of North Korean officials, including the younger sister of leader Kim Jong Un and the North`s nominal head of state, Kim Yong Nam.

North Korea has no intention of meeting US officials during the Winter Olympics that start in South Korea on Friday, state media reported, dampening hopes the Games will help resolve a tense standoff over the North`s nuclear weapons programme. U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, who described North Korea as the world`s most tyrannical regime on Wednesday, flies into South Korea on Thursday ahead of the opening ceremony in the mountain resort of Pyeongchang, just 80 km (50 miles) from the heavily armed border with the reclusive North. The ceremony will also be attended by a senior delegation of North Korean officials, including the younger sister of leader Kim Jong Un and the North`s nominal head of state, Kim Yong Nam. The sister, Kim Yo Jong, and other members of her entourage will travel by private jet to Seoul`s Incheon International Airport on Friday afternoon, North Korea informed the South on Thursday. "We have never begged for dialogue with the U.S. nor in the future, too," the North`s KCNA news agency reported, citing Jo Yong Sam, director-general of the North American department of North Korea`s foreign ministry. "Explicitly speaking, we have no intention to meet with the U.S. side during the stay in South Korea ... Our delegation`s visit to South Korea is only to take part in the Olympics and hail its successful holding." Pence said the United States had not requested talks with North Korean officials but left open the possibility of some contact. "But if I have any contact with them, in any context, over the next two days, my message will be the same as it was here today: North Korea needs to, once and for all, abandon its nuclear and ballistic missile ambition," Pence told reporters as he left Japan. South Korea wants to use the Olympics to re-engage with North Korea and open the way for talks to resolve one of the world`s most dangerous crises, in which U.S. President Donald Trump and Pyongyang have swapped bellicose threats of nuclear war. Pence had said after meeting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Wednesday that Washington would soon unveil "the toughest and most aggressive round of economic sanctions on North Korea ever". In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told reporters that China saw the Olympics as a first step towards "everyday, uninterrupted" dialogue. All sides, not just the two Koreas, needed to work hard and dialogue between the United States and North Korea should be expanded for this to happen, Wang said. "You can’t have it that one person opens the door and another closes it," he said. Military parade North Korea marked the founding anniversary of its army with a large military parade in Pyongyang on Thursday, a government official told Reuters, having last month changed the date of the celebration to the eve of the Olympics. The official asked not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the issue. Domestic media reports said the parade was smaller than those of previous years. Pence will meet South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Seoul on Thursday. On Friday, before he attends the Olympic opening ceremony, he will visit a memorial for 46 South Korean sailors killed in 2010 in the sinking of a warship that Seoul blamed on a North Korean torpedo attack. Pence is taking the father of Otto Warmbier, an American student who died last year after being imprisoned in North Korea for 17 months. Kim Yo Jong, the 28-year-old sister of the North Korean leader, will be sitting in the same stadium as VIP guests along with ceremonial head of state Kim Yong Nam. She will be the first member of the Kim family to cross the border into the South. Kim Yo Jong is a propaganda official and was blacklisted last year by the U.S. Treasury Department over alleged human rights abuses and censorship. Japan`s Abe, whose nation has been within range of North Korean missiles for decades, will also attend the ceremony, adding to seating complications for the hosts. South Korea asked the United Nations on Wednesday for an exemption to allow a U.N.-sanctioned North Korean official, Choe Hwi, to attend the opening ceremony with Kim Yo Jong. The Unification Ministry in Seoul said no decision had been made yet on Choe and Pyongyang had not mentioned any change in their plans to send him. The U.N. Security Council, which has slapped a series of sanctions on North Korea for its weapons programmes, imposed a travel ban and asset freeze Choe last year when he was vice director of the Workers` Party of Korea Propaganda and Agitation Department. A group of 280 North Koreans arrived in South Korea on Wednesday, including a 229-member cheer squad, taekwondo performers, journalists and the sports minister. Preliminary competition at the Games began on Thursday, with events including curling and ski jumping. Organisers have already been battling some challenges, including a stomach virus that has hit dozens of staff and a fire near the Olympic media village on Thursday that produced thick black smoke but was quickly extinguished.

North Korea says no US talks planned at Olympics as Pence heads to Seoul

Kim Jong Un on Monday warned the United States he has a &quot;nuclear button&quot; on his desk ready for use if North Korea is threatened, but offered an olive branch to South Korea, saying he was &quot;open to dialogue&quot; with Seoul.

After a year dominated by fiery rhetoric and escalating tensions over North Korea&#39;s nuclear weapons programme, Kim used his televised New Year&#39;s Day speech to declare North Korea &quot;a peace-loving and responsible nuclear power&quot; and call for lower military tensions and improved ties with the South.

&quot;When it comes to North-South relations, we should lower the military tensions on the Korean Peninsula to create a peaceful environment,&quot; Kim said. &quot;Both the North and the South should make efforts.&quot;

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<h5>Kim said he would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February</h5>
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Kim said he would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February.

&quot;North Korea&#39;s participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to showcase the national pride and we wish the Games will be a success. Officials from the two Koreas may urgently meet to discuss the possibility,&quot; Kim said.

South Korea said it welcomed Kim&#39;s offer to send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Games and hold talks with the South to discuss possible participation.

&quot;We have always stated our willingness to talk with North Korea anytime and anywhere if that would help restore inter-Korean relations and lead to peace on the Korean peninsula,&quot; a spokesman for the presidential Blue House said.

&quot;We hope the two Koreas will sit down and find a solution to lower tensions and establish peace on the Korean peninsula.&quot;

Lee Hee-beom, president of the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee, said the organisation welcomed North Korean participation.

&quot;The (organising committee) will discuss relevant matters with the South Korean government as well as the International Olympic Committee,&quot; he said in a statement.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said North Korea&#39;s participation will ensure the safety of the Pyeongchang Olympics and proposed last month that Seoul and Washington postpone large military drills that the North denounces as a rehearsal for war until after the Games.

US-based experts saw Kim&#39;s speech as a clear attempt to divide South Korea from its main ally, the United States, which has led an international campaign to pressure North Korea to give up weapons programs aimed at developing nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United States.

Asked by reporters to comment on Kim&#39;s speech, US President Donald Trump simply said, &quot;we&#39;ll see, we&#39;ll see&quot;, as he walked into New Year&rsquo;s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago, his elite resort in Florida.

The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Kim&rsquo;s New Year&rsquo;s address.

&quot;This speech pokes at the fissure that has lain below the surface in US-South Korean relations, and seems designed to drive a wedge there,&quot; said Douglas Paal, a former senior U.S. diplomat who heads the Asia program at Washington&rsquo;s Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

&quot;Seoul&#39;s President Moon needs a successful Olympics and the US drive to increase pressure fits poorly with the Southern agenda.&quot;

Evans Revere, another former senior US diplomat who has taken part in unofficial talks with North Korean officials this year, said North Korea was likely to try to extract concessions as a &ldquo;price&rdquo; for Olympics participation.

&quot;It&rsquo;s hard to imagine Seoul falling for this,&quot; he said, adding that Seoul and Washington had so far stayed in synch in the pressure and isolation campaign.

Revere said Kim Jong UN&rsquo;s speech contained the strongest defense of North Korea&#39;s status as a permanently nuclear-armed country he had seen.

&quot;Implicit in Kim Jong UN&rsquo;s speech is a willingness to engage with others, including the United States, on the basis of their acceptance of the &#39;reality&#39; of North Korea&rsquo;s permanent nuclear status. That&rsquo;s not a basis on which the United States is prepared to engage,&quot; he said.

Moon took office in May last year pledging to engage Pyongyang in dialogue and restore ties strained after nearly a decade of conservative rule in the South.

But North Korea has so far snubbed his overtures, including an offer to hold inter-Korean military talks about ceasing hostile activities along the border, as it tested missiles at an unprecedented pace.

Rather than encouraging US measures that &quot;threaten the security and peace of the Korean peninsula,&quot; Seoul should instead respond to overtures from the North, and &quot;stop nuclear war exercises with foreign forces,&quot; Kim said.

North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test in September in defiance of international warnings and sanctions, raising fears of a new conflict on the Korean peninsula.

After North Korea tested its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in November, which it said was capable of delivering a warhead to anywhere in the United States, Kim declared his nuclear force complete.

He continued that theme in his New Year&#39;s address, announcing that North Korea would focus in the coming year on &quot;mass producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment&quot;.

This, Kim said, was &quot;irreversible with any force&quot;, making it impossible for the United States to start a war against North Korea.

&quot;The whole territory of the US is within the range of our nuclear strike and a nuclear button is always on the desk of my office and this is just a reality, not a threat,&quot; he said, while emphasising that the weapons would only be used if North Korea is threatened.

Kim&#39;s customary New Year&rsquo;s speech is closely watched for indications of the policy direction the unpredictable and reclusive leader is likely to pursue in the coming year.

Beyond listing military accomplishments, Kim also outlined economic gains as part of his two-pronged policy of developing his country&#39;s economy and military.

Despite increased international sanctions imposed over the weapons programme, North Korea made progress in areas like fabrics, shoes and tractors, Kim said.

While Kim is keen to declare his weapons programme a success, he is unlikely to completely end his contentious testing regime, said Scott LaFoy, a ballistic missile analyst at the website NK Pro, which monitors North Korea.

&quot;I&#39;m still very skeptical of the &#39;complete&#39; thing they&#39;ve been talking about, if only because we&#39;ve seen so much activity in regards to the submarine launched ballistic missile programme,&quot; he said. &quot;I think a slowdown (in testing) is very realistic, though.&quot;

Kim seems likely to tone down his weapons testing at least ahead of the Olympics, said Nam Sung-wook, a North Korea expert at Korea University in Seoul.

&quot;What North Korea is most afraid of is being forgotten in the international arena,&quot; he said. &quot;Without launching missiles and conducting a nuclear test, North Korea will be in the spotlight just by attending the Winter Olympics.&quot;

Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at Washington&#39;s conservative Center for the National Interest, said that if North Korea did participate in the Olympics, there could be a lull in tensions, but only a brief one.

&quot;As we move into the spring, Pyongyang will once again test all different types of missiles and weapons,&quot; he said.

Kim used his televised New Year's Day speech to declare North Korea 'a peace-loving and responsible nuclear power' and call for lower military tensions and improved ties with the South

Kim Jong Un on Monday warned the United States he has a "nuclear button" on his desk ready for use if North Korea is threatened, but offered an olive branch to South Korea, saying he was "open to dialogue" with Seoul. After a year dominated by fiery rhetoric and escalating tensions over North Korea's nuclear weapons programme, Kim used his televised New Year's Day speech to declare North Korea "a peace-loving and responsible nuclear power" and call for lower military tensions and improved ties with the South. "When it comes to North-South relations, we should lower the military tensions on the Korean Peninsula to create a peaceful environment," Kim said. "Both the North and the South should make efforts." Kim said he would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February × Kim said he would consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February. "North Korea's participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to showcase the national pride and we wish the Games will be a success. Officials from the two Koreas may urgently meet to discuss the possibility," Kim said. South Korea said it welcomed Kim's offer to send a delegation to the Pyeongchang Games and hold talks with the South to discuss possible participation. "We have always stated our willingness to talk with North Korea anytime and anywhere if that would help restore inter-Korean relations and lead to peace on the Korean peninsula," a spokesman for the presidential Blue House said. "We hope the two Koreas will sit down and find a solution to lower tensions and establish peace on the Korean peninsula." Lee Hee-beom, president of the Pyeongchang Organizing Committee, said the organisation welcomed North Korean participation. "The (organising committee) will discuss relevant matters with the South Korean government as well as the International Olympic Committee," he said in a statement. South Korean President Moon Jae-in has said North Korea's participation will ensure the safety of the Pyeongchang Olympics and proposed last month that Seoul and Washington postpone large military drills that the North denounces as a rehearsal for war until after the Games. US-based experts saw Kim's speech as a clear attempt to divide South Korea from its main ally, the United States, which has led an international campaign to pressure North Korea to give up weapons programs aimed at developing nuclear missiles capable of hitting the United States. Asked by reporters to comment on Kim's speech, US President Donald Trump simply said, "we'll see, we'll see", as he walked into New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago, his elite resort in Florida. The US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Kim’s New Year’s address. "This speech pokes at the fissure that has lain below the surface in US-South Korean relations, and seems designed to drive a wedge there," said Douglas Paal, a former senior U.S. diplomat who heads the Asia program at Washington’s Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. "Seoul's President Moon needs a successful Olympics and the US drive to increase pressure fits poorly with the Southern agenda." Evans Revere, another former senior US diplomat who has taken part in unofficial talks with North Korean officials this year, said North Korea was likely to try to extract concessions as a “price” for Olympics participation. "It’s hard to imagine Seoul falling for this," he said, adding that Seoul and Washington had so far stayed in synch in the pressure and isolation campaign. Revere said Kim Jong UN’s speech contained the strongest defense of North Korea's status as a permanently nuclear-armed country he had seen. "Implicit in Kim Jong UN’s speech is a willingness to engage with others, including the United States, on the basis of their acceptance of the 'reality' of North Korea’s permanent nuclear status. That’s not a basis on which the United States is prepared to engage," he said. Moon took office in May last year pledging to engage Pyongyang in dialogue and restore ties strained after nearly a decade of conservative rule in the South. But North Korea has so far snubbed his overtures, including an offer to hold inter-Korean military talks about ceasing hostile activities along the border, as it tested missiles at an unprecedented pace. Rather than encouraging US measures that "threaten the security and peace of the Korean peninsula," Seoul should instead respond to overtures from the North, and "stop nuclear war exercises with foreign forces," Kim said. North Korea conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test in September in defiance of international warnings and sanctions, raising fears of a new conflict on the Korean peninsula. After North Korea tested its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in November, which it said was capable of delivering a warhead to anywhere in the United States, Kim declared his nuclear force complete. He continued that theme in his New Year's address, announcing that North Korea would focus in the coming year on "mass producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment". This, Kim said, was "irreversible with any force", making it impossible for the United States to start a war against North Korea. "The whole territory of the US is within the range of our nuclear strike and a nuclear button is always on the desk of my office and this is just a reality, not a threat," he said, while emphasising that the weapons would only be used if North Korea is threatened. Kim's customary New Year’s speech is closely watched for indications of the policy direction the unpredictable and reclusive leader is likely to pursue in the coming year. Beyond listing military accomplishments, Kim also outlined economic gains as part of his two-pronged policy of developing his country's economy and military. Despite increased international sanctions imposed over the weapons programme, North Korea made progress in areas like fabrics, shoes and tractors, Kim said. While Kim is keen to declare his weapons programme a success, he is unlikely to completely end his contentious testing regime, said Scott LaFoy, a ballistic missile analyst at the website NK Pro, which monitors North Korea. "I'm still very skeptical of the 'complete' thing they've been talking about, if only because we've seen so much activity in regards to the submarine launched ballistic missile programme," he said. "I think a slowdown (in testing) is very realistic, though." Kim seems likely to tone down his weapons testing at least ahead of the Olympics, said Nam Sung-wook, a North Korea expert at Korea University in Seoul. "What North Korea is most afraid of is being forgotten in the international arena," he said. "Without launching missiles and conducting a nuclear test, North Korea will be in the spotlight just by attending the Winter Olympics." Harry Kazianis, director of defense studies at Washington's conservative Center for the National Interest, said that if North Korea did participate in the Olympics, there could be a lull in tensions, but only a brief one. "As we move into the spring, Pyongyang will once again test all different types of missiles and weapons," he said.

North Korea's Kim says 'open to dialogue' with South Korea, will use nukes only if threatened