By Choi Ha-young
North Korea has completed its development of nuclear weapons, its leader Kim Jong-un claimed in his New Year’s speech, Monday, saying he has a “nuclear button on his desk” to strike the mainland U.S.
Kim said his New Year’s goal is to complete operational deployment of nuclear weapons and missiles. “Now we should accelerate the deployment of mass-produced nuclear bombs and ballistic missiles,” he said.
“Also, the military should be on alert to promptly counter the enemy state’s nuclear attacks.”
This could be the regime’s keynote for his year, considering his New Year’s speech is regarded as its absolute direction that should be accomplished firmly. In his 2017 address, Kim said intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) development had reached final stages.
“The most outstanding achievement in 2017 was a historical completion of the nation’s nuclear forces,” Kim said. “Washington should be aware that the whole continental U.S. is within our firing range and this is not a threat, but a reality.”
“Last year, we successfully tested various nuclear delivery system and powerful thermonuclear weapons. In the end, the country is now equipped with war deterrent force,” he said, apparently referring to multiple ICBM tests and the latest nuclear test in September.
Throughout 2017, the regime launched 20 missiles, and analysts generally agreed that the North’s ICBMs are capable to hit U.S. western coast.
Regarding the speech, pundits expected Pyongyang will keep upholding its nuclear armament. “The speech shows Kim’s confidence in the nation’s nuclear forces,” Cheong Seong-chang, a senior fellow at the Sejong Institute, said. “The North’s missile and nuclear capacity will keep growing.”
The young leader also reiterated the so-called “byungjin line” which is aimed at developing the economy and military capacity. “We’ve made a great leap forward in economic development,” he said. Kim touched on various sectors ― construction, textile industry, science, light industry, agriculture and fisheries.
At the same time, Kim hinted at tighter control over the country. “All party sectors should never allow ideologies except the ruling party’s one,” Kim said. “The ruling Workers’ Party of Korea should escalate its struggle to strengthen the revolution and root out the outdated bureaucracy.”
Cheong said this remark signals possible purges against opponents, particularly those in the military.