North Korean leader Kim Jong Un today warned the United States that he has a “nuclear button” on his desk ready for use if North Korea is threatened.
In his televised New Year’s Day speech, Kim said, the entire United States is within range of North Korea’s nuclear weapons. He said this is reality, not a threat, while emphasising that these weapons will be used only if Pyongyang’s security is threatened.
Kim however, offered an olive branch to South Korea, saying he was “open to dialogue” with Seoul and called for lower military tensions on the Korean peninsula and improved ties with the South. He said, when it comes to North-South relations, the military tensions should be lowered on the Korean Peninsula to create a peaceful environment and both the North and the South should make efforts.
Kim said, he will consider sending a delegation to the Winter Olympics Games to be held in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February. He said, North Korea’s participation in the Winter Games will be a good opportunity to show unity of the people.
Seoul and Games organisers have billed 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang as “peace Olympics”. The Games will take place from 9th to 25th February, with the Paralympics scheduled to begin on the 9th of March. Games organisers and Seoul have both been keen for the North to take part, but Pyongyang’s participation in sporting events in the South has largely depended on the political and military situation on the Korean peninsula. The venues for the Games lie just 80 kilometres south of the tense border with the North Korea.
