N. Korea says there will be no change to its nuclear policy in 2018

SEOUL, Dec. 30 (Yonhap) -- North Korea will continue to enhance its nuclear capabilities in the future, the North's state media said Saturday, declaring the communist state an "invincible" and "responsible" nuclear power.

"The DPRK, an undeniable new strategic state and nuclear power of Juche, declares: Do not expect any change in its policy. Its entity as an invincible power can neither be undermined nor be stamped out," the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said in what it called a detailed report titled "No Force Can Prevail over Independence and Justice." DPRK stands for the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

The report largely described what the North has claimed to be its successful development of new weapons, including an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the U.S.

"On February 12 the DPRK successfully test-fired the new type strategic weapon system Pukguksong-2, ground-to-ground intermediate-range strategic ballistic rocket...On Nov. 29, the DPRK succeeded in the test-fire of new type ICBM Hwasong-15 reflecting its tremendous might as a world-class military power," it said.

Pyongyang staged 16 missile tests this year, including 11 since new South Korean President Moon Jae-in took office in May. It also conducted its sixth and most powerful nuclear test so far, staged Sept. 3.

"The U.S. persistent moves against the DPRK in political, economic, military, diplomatic and all other fields till the end of this year could not stop even a moment the advance of the DPRK confident in the victory of its cause," the KCNA report said.

"The DPRK, as a responsible nuclear weapons state, will lead the trend of history to the only road of independence and justice, weathering all tempests on this planet," it added.

bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)