North Korea says nuclear forces ready for warListen to this articleThis picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, right, inspecting a missile launch exercise in Pyongyang. Lee has said he hopes to use his visit to harness China's clout over North Korea to improve Seoul's ties with Pyongyang. On Monday, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) quoted Kim as saying the test showed "the readiness of the DPRK's nuclear forces", referring to North Korea by its official name. Pyongyang's activity, he said, was "aimed at gradually putting the nuclear war deterrent on a high-developed basis". They have been deployed to deadly effect last year on cities in Ukraine by Russia, with whom North Korea has deepened ties in recent years, and by Iran against Israel.

Source: Bangkok Post January 05, 2026 21:56 UTC