Kim says US should know North Korean nuclear force a reality
Kim Jong Un
SEOUL  South Korea (AP)  â North Korean leader Kim Jong Un  said Monday that 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 South Korea 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 that  his  country had achieved the historic feat of "completing" its nuclear forces and added that  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 translated by The Associated Press.
"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  said.
In this photo provided by the North Korean government  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers his New Year's speech at an undisclosed place in North Korea Monday  Jan. 1  2018.  Kim  said Monday the United States should be aware that  his  country's nuclear forces are now a reality  not a threat. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
South Koreans watch a TV news program showing  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 's New Year's speech  at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul  South Korea  Monday  Jan. 1  2018. The letters read on top left  " Kim Jong Un  delivers New Year's speech."  Kim  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. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
The New Year's address is an annual event in North Korea and is watched closely for indications of the direction and priorities  Kim  may adopt in the year ahead.
Visitors walk by a TV screen showing a TV news program reporting about  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 's New Year's speech  at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul  South Korea  Monday  Jan. 1  2018. The letters read on top left  " Kim Jong Un  delivers New Year's speech."  Kim  said the United States should be aware that  his  country's nuclear forces are now a reality  not a threat. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
 Kim  also stressed North Korea's economic achievements during the speech  and noted the importance of improving the nation's standard of living.
SEOUL  South Korea (AP)  â  [TGT] said Monday that 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 South Korea in February and suggesting the North may send a delegation to participate.
 Kim   wearing a Western-style gray suit and tie  said in   [TGT]   customary annual address that   [TGT]   country had achieved the historic feat of "completing" its nuclear forces and added that   [TGT]   has a nuclear button on   [TGT]   desk.
"The U.S. should know that the button for nuclear weapons is on my table "  he  said during the speech  as translated by The Associated Press.
"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  said.
In this photo provided by the North Korean government  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un delivers his New Year's speech at an undisclosed place in North Korea Monday  Jan. 1  2018.  Kim  said Monday the United States should be aware that  his  country's nuclear forces are now a reality  not a threat. Independent journalists were not given access to cover the event depicted in this image distributed by the North Korean government. The content of this image is as provided and cannot be independently verified. Korean language watermark on image as provided by source reads: "KCNA" which is the abbreviation for Korean Central News Agency. (Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)
South Koreans watch a TV news program showing  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 's New Year's speech  at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul  South Korea  Monday  Jan. 1  2018. The letters read on top left  " Kim Jong Un  delivers New Year's speech."  Kim  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. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
The New Year's address is an annual event in North Korea and is watched closely for indications of the direction and priorities  Kim  may adopt in the year ahead.
Visitors walk by a TV screen showing a TV news program reporting about  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un 's New Year's speech  at the Seoul Railway Station in Seoul  South Korea  Monday  Jan. 1  2018. The letters read on top left  " Kim Jong Un  delivers New Year's speech."  Kim  said the United States should be aware that  his  country's nuclear forces are now a reality  not a threat. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
 Kim  also stressed North Korea's economic achievements during the speech  and noted the importance of improving the nation's standard of living.