The new year has already brought a new threat from North Korea, with dictator Kim Jong Un warning the United States Monday that he has a “nuclear button” on his desk ready to use if the rogue regime is ever threatened.
“The entire United States is within range of our nuclear weapons, a nuclear button is always on my desk. This is reality, not a threat,” Kim said. “This year, we should focus on mass-producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment. These weapons will be used only if our society is threatened.”
Kim made the statement in a televised New Year’s Day address in which he declared North Korea “a peace-loving and responsible nuclear power,” while also calling for better relations 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," he said. "Both the North and the South should make efforts."
Kim even suggested sending a delegation to the Winter Olympic Games, which will be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
"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.
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South Korea welcomed the offer.
"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."
When asked for comment on Kim’s speech at his New Year’s Eve celebration at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump only said “we’ll see, we’ll see.”
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