North Korea's declaration that it is pursuing to enshrine its right to make nuclear weapons in its was coupled with a message that strengthening its economy was a priority. This is perceived by some experts as an effort by North Korean leader  to temper the tensions. The  responded by sending to South Korea to take part in military drills. North Korea, whose is scheduled to hold its annual parliamentary session later today, had issued a series of threats over the past months, including a declaration over the weekend that it was entering a "state of war" with the South. The tension escalated following Pyongyang's suspected ballistic missile test in December and a nuclear test in February. The  imposed fresh sanctions following these moves, much to the North's irritation. "There was a danger that this was getting to the point ... of a permanent war footing," John Delury, an analyst at  's specialising in North Korea, told the  . "In the midst of this tension and militant rhetoric and posturing, Kim Jong Un is saying, Look, we're still focused on the economy, but we're doing it with our nuclear deterrent intact." South Korea's Foreign Minister is expected to meet this week in  to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula, news agency reported.
North Korea's declaration that it is pursuing to enshrine its right to make nuclear weapons in its was coupled with a message that strengthening its economy was a priority. This is perceived by some experts as an effort by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to temper the tensions. The United States responded by sending to South Korea to take part in military drills. North Korea, whose is scheduled to hold its annual parliamentary session later today, had issued a series of threats over the past months, including a declaration over the weekend that it was entering a "state of war" with the South. The tension escalated following Pyongyang's suspected ballistic missile test in December and a nuclear test in February. The United Nations imposed fresh sanctions following these moves, much to the North's irritation. "There was a danger that this was getting to the point ... of a permanent war footing," John Delury, an analyst at Seoul 's specialising in North Korea, told the Associated Press . "In the midst of this tension and militant rhetoric and posturing, Kim Jong Un is saying, Look, we're still focused on the economy, but we're doing it with our nuclear deterrent intact." South Korea's Foreign Minister is expected to meet this week in Washington to discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula, news agency reported.
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Kim Jong-un
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United States
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United Nations
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Seoul
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Associated Press
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Washington