Reuters: North Korea's Kim says 'open to dialogue' with South Korea, will only use nukes if threatened
SEOUL (Reuters) - Kim Jong Un on Monday warned the United States that he has a “nuclear button” on his desk ready for use if North Korea is threatened, but offered an olive branch to South Korea, saying he was “open to dialogue” with Seoul.
After a year dominated by fiery rhetoric and escalating tensions over North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, Kim used his televised New Year’s Day speech to declare North Korea “a peace-loving and responsible nuclear power” and call for lower military tensions on the Korean peninsula and improved ties 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,” Kim said. “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.
“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.
Read more ....
More News On The North Korean Crisis
Kim Jong Un extends olive branch to Seoul while threatening Washington with 'nuclear button' -- UPI
Kim vows North will mass-produce nukes but open to talks with Seoul -- AFP
North Korea's Kim Jong-un issues threats and olive branch -- BBC
Kim says US should know North Korean nuclear force a reality -- AP
Kim Jong Un highlights his ‘nuclear button,’ offers Olympic talks -- NBC
Kim Jong-un: North Korea's nuclear arsenal is now complete -- The Guardian
Kim calls on North to mass-produce nukes, missiles -- AFP
Kim warns US that ‘nuclear launch button is on his desk’ -- Asia Times
Kim Jong-un uses New Year's message to claim US 'cannot declare war' on nuclear-armed North Korea -- ABC News Online
Kim Jong Un: North Korea has completed nuclear program, US will never attack -- DW
Kim warns Washington of ‘nuclear button on desk’ but vows ‘Olympic truce’ with South Korea -- RT
Kim Jong-un says 'nuclear button is on my desk', as he announces plan to mass produce and deploy warheads -- South China Morning Post
North Korea completes creating national nuclear force - leader -- TASS
North Korea Vows to Pursue Nuclear Weapon Despite Sanctions -- Sputnik
North Korea's Kim Jong-un 'open to dialogue' with South -- Al Jazeera
Posts
