North Korea threatens to resume nuclear testing, introduce 'new strategic weapon'
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un
NorthKorea's leader plans to further develop nuclear programmes and to introduce a "newstrategicweapon" in the near future, state media said on Wednesday, but he leftroomfor dialogue with the United States after it ignored a year-end deadline he had set fortalks.
KimJong Un presided over a four-day meeting of top Workers' Party officials this week amid rising tensions with the United States, which has not responded to his repeated calls for concessions to reopen negotiations. Washington has dismissed the deadline as artificial.
Kimsaid there were no grounds forNorthKoreato be bound any longer by a self-declared moratorium on testing nuclear bombs and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM), according to a statement on the results of the policy meeting carried by the official KCNA news agency.
Kimaccused the United States of making "gangster-like demands" and maintaining a "hostile policy", including by holding continued joint military drills with SouthKorea, adopting cutting edge weapons and imposing sanctions.
He pledged to continue bolstering his country's nuclear deterrent but said the "scope and depth" of that deterrent will be "properly co-ordinated depending on" the attitude of the United States.
"The world will witness a newstrategicweapon to be possessed by the DPRK in the near future,"Kimsaid, using the initials forNorthKorea's official name the Democratic People's Republic ofKorea.
"We will reliably put on constant alert the powerful nuclear deterrent capable of containing the nuclear threats from the USand guaranteeing our long-term security."
USSecretary of State Mike Pompeo said it would be "deeply disappointing" ifKimreneges on denuclearisation commitments andKimwould hopefully "choose peace and prosperity over conflict and war."
In his latest comments on Tuesday in the United States, President Donald Trump said he had a good relationship withKimand thought theNorthKorean leader would keep his word.
There were no official reports as of noon on Wednesday in SouthKoreathatKimhad delivered an annual New Year's address.
Kimhad previously said he might have to seek a "new path" if Washington failed to meet his expectations. USmilitary commanders said Pyongyang's actions could include test-firing an ICBM alongside nuclear warhead tests.NorthKorealast test-fired an ICBM in 2017.
Jeffrey Lewis, a non-proliferation expert at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California, said it was difficult to predictNorthKorea's next move. But it might involve firing a solid-fuel ICBM and an atmospheric nuclear test, he said.
Tension had been rising ahead of the year-end asNorthKoreaconducted a series of weapons tests and waged a war of words with USPresident Donald Trump.
The nucleartalkshave made little headway thoughKimand Trump have met three times since 2018. Working-leveltalksin Stockholm in October fell apart, with aNorthKorean chief negotiator accusing USofficials of sticking to their old stance.
Kimsaid there will "never be denuclearisation on theKorean peninsula" if Washington adheres to what he calls its hostile policy.
We "will steadily develop necessary and prerequisitestrategicweapons for the security of the state until the USrolls back its hostile policy towards the DPRK and lasting and durable peace-keeping mechanism is built,"Kimsaid.
He called forNorthKoreans to brace for an "arduous and prolonged struggle" and foster a self-reliant economy because of a delay in the anticipated lifting of sanctions.
"The present situation warning of long confrontation with the USurgently requires us to make it a fait accompli that we have to live under the sanctions by the hostile forces in the future, too, and to strengthen the internal power from all aspects."
Yang Moo-jin, a professor at the University ofNorthKorean Studies in Seoul, said the party assembly results made clearKimwants USsecurity guarantees before taking substantial action towards denuclearisation.
"And he is suggesting that he will take the bull by the horns to achieve that goal, while promoting self reliance at home and still being open totalksdepending on how Trump handles 'hostile policy,'" Yang said.