Kim Jong Un says to further strengthen nuclear weapons in quality

PYONGYANG, March 4 -- Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un said that the only way to defend the nation's sovereignty is to further strengthen nuclear forces in quality and the military should be prepared to deliver nuclear warheads at any time.

The DPRK leader made the remarks when guiding a test firing of newly developed large-caliber multiple rocket launcher, the state media KCNA reported Friday.

Kim said that as the enemies are planning to carry out the "beheading operation" that targets the DPRK leadership and the DPRK system, the DPRK will make the military corresponding measures in "preemptive manners," the KCNA reported.

Kim said the prevailing situation when strategic and tactical weapons have been deployed to South Korea has proved the DPRK's foresight to choose to become a nuclear state and try to strengthen nuclear power in all ways.

He instructed that the military should be ready to deliver the deployed nuclear warheads at any time for national defense.

Kim was satisfied with the test-fire, saying the new-type large-caliber multiple rocket launcher "further strengthens the striking power of the Korean People's Army."

The KCNA report also condemned the UN Security Council's new resolution on the DPRK in response to its nuclear and missile programs, saying the resolution "delegimitizes the DPRK's sovereignty and the DPRK will not remain an onlooker to political and economic pressure imposed by the United States and its following forces."

"All the people in the DPRK are now waiting for an order of combat to annihilate the enemy with their surging wrath at the U.S. imperialists and South Korea," it said.

South Korea's Defense Ministry said Thursday that the DPRK had fired several short-range projectiles into eastern waters after UN Security Council voted on Wednesday to adopt a resolution that imposes a set of new sanctions on Pyongyang, while calling for a resumption of the long-stalled six-party talks.

The resolution, in response to DPRK's nuclear test on Jan. 6 and a satellite launch on Feb. 7, is aimed at curbing the country's ability to develop its nuclear and missile programs.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Security Council condemned in the strongest terms DPRK's nuclear test on Jan. 6 and the satellite launch on Feb. 7, which it said used ballistic missile technology banned by previous UN resolutions. Pyongyang insisted it was a peaceful satellite launch.