Kim says US should know North Korean nuclear force a reality
Kim Jong Un
TOKYO ( AP ) —  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un  said Monday the United States should be aware that  his  country ’ s nuclear forces are now a reality   not a threat . But  he  also struck a conciliatory tone in  his  New Year ’ s address   wishing success for the Winter Olympics set to begin in the South in February and suggesting the North may send a delegation to participate . Kim   wearing a Western - style gray suit and tie   said in his customary annual address his country had achieved the historic feat of “ completing ” its nuclear forces and added he has a nuclear button on his desk . “ The U . S . should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table  ” he said during the speech   as provisionally translated by the AP . The official transcript of his address was expected to be released shortly . “ The entire area of the U . S . mainland is within our nuclear strike range . … The United States can never start a war against me and our country .”  Kim  also called for improved relations with the South   an idea mentioned in speeches more often than it is met .  He  said the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics would be a good opportunity to showcase the status of the Korean nation .  He  said the North and South could meet urgently to discuss the North sending a delegation . “ The Winter Olympic games that will be held soon in the South will be a good opportunity to display the status of the Korean nation and we sincerely wish that the event will be held with good results  ”  he  said . The New Year ’ s address is an annual event in the North and is watched closely for indications of the direction and priorities Kim may adopt in the year ahead . This year ’ s speech was seen as particularly important because of the high tensions over Pyongyang ’ s frequent missile launches and its nuclear test in 2017 . The tests were the focus of fiery verbal exchanges between the North and U . S . President Donald Trump   who has derisively called Kim   “ little rocket man .” Kim also stressed North Korea ’ s economic achievements during the speech   and noted the importance of improving the nation ’ s standard of living . ___ AP writer Kim Tong - hyung in Seoul   South Korea   contributed to this report .
TOKYO ( AP ) —  [TGT]said Monday the United States should be aware that  [TGT]  country ’ s nuclear forces are now a reality   not a threat . But  [TGT]  also struck a conciliatory tone in  [TGT]  New Year ’ s address   wishing success for the Winter Olympics set to begin in the South in February and suggesting the North may send a delegation to participate . [TGT]wearing a Western - style gray suit and tie   said in [TGT] customary annual address [TGT] country had achieved the historic feat of “ completing ” its nuclear forces and added [TGT] has a nuclear button on [TGT] desk . “ The U . S . should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table  ” [TGT] said during the speech   as provisionally translated by the AP . The official transcript of [TGT] address was expected to be released shortly . “ The entire area of the U . S . mainland is within our nuclear strike range . … The United States can never start a war against me and our country .”  [TGT]also called for improved relations with the South   an idea mentioned in speeches more often than it is met .  [TGT]  said the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics would be a good opportunity to showcase the status of the Korean nation .  [TGT]  said the North and South could meet urgently to discuss the North sending a delegation . “ The Winter Olympic games that will be held soon in the South will be a good opportunity to display the status of the Korean nation and we sincerely wish that the event will be held with good results  ”  he  said . The New Year ’ s address is an annual event in the North and is watched closely for indications of the direction and priorities [TGT] may adopt in the year ahead . This year ’ s speech was seen as particularly important because of the high tensions over Pyongyang ’ s frequent missile launches and its nuclear test in 2017 . The tests were the focus of fiery verbal exchanges between the North and U . S . President Donald Trump   who has derisively called Kim   “ little rocket man .” [TGT] also stressed North Korea ’ s economic achievements during the speech   and noted the importance of improving the nation ’ s standard of living . ___ AP writer Kim Tong - hyung in Seoul   South Korea   contributed to this report .