North Korean leader Kim Jong Un claimed his nuclear-armed nation could "completely destroy" South Korea if it felt its security was at risk, reaffirming his unwillingness to pursue talks with Seoul, according to state media reports Thursday. At the same time, he signaled an openness to negotiations with Washington as he wrapped up a ruling party congress that set out his objectives for the next five years.
Kim in recent years has sharpened his rhetoric toward Seoul and underscored his rejection of inter-Korean diplomacy. Experts say that most likely doesn't presage military clashes, but is intended to advance a broader effort to assert a more forceful regional role backed by Kim's nuclear arsenal and ties with Moscow and Beijing.
The official Korean Central News Agency said that Kim also called for developing new weapons systems to bolster his nuclear-armed military, including intercontinental ballistic missiles that could be launched from underwater and an expanded arsenal of tactical nuclear weapons, such as artillery and short-range missiles, targeting South Korea.
The Workers' Party congress, which ended its seven-day run on Wednesday in Pyongyang, is North Korea's most significant political event and a carefully choreographed spectacle glorifying Kim's leadership before thousands of delegates.
