SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Sunday that the isolated, nuclear-capable country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un gives a New Year address for 2017 in this undated picture provided by KCNA in Pyongyang on January 1, 2017. KCNA/via Reuters

North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016, although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States.

“Research and development of cutting edge arms equipment is actively progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage,” Kim said during a televised New Year’s Day speech.

The country has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on Sept. 9.

A successful ICBM test launch would mark a significant step forward for secretive Pyongyang’s weapons capability. ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500 km (3,418 miles), but some are designed to travel 10,000 km (6,214 miles) or further. California is roughly 9,000 km (5,592 miles) from North Korea.

However, North Korea has struggled to reliably deploy its intermediate-range Musudan ballistic missile, succeeding just once in eight attempted launches last year.

U.S. State Department spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen on Sunday called on North Korea “to refrain from provocative actions and inflammatory rhetoric that threaten international peace and stability, and to make the strategic choice to fulfil its international obligations and commitments and return to serious talks.”

She urged “All states to use every available channel and means of influence to make clear to the DPRK and its enablers that launches using ballistic missile technology are unacceptable, and take steps to show there are consequences to the DPRK’s unlawful conduct.”

The Musudan is designed to fly about 3,000 km (1,860 miles), posing a threat to South Korea and Japan, and possibly the U.S. territory of Guam.

South Korea’s Defence Ministry declined to comment on whether North Korea would test launch an ICBM soon.

TRUMP REQUESTED NORTH KOREA BRIEFING

According to a senior U.S. intelligence official, President-elect Donald Trump’s first, and at that time only, request for a special classified intelligence briefing was for one on North Korea and its nuclear weapons programme.

North Korea and its nuclear programme has also been of interest to retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, Trump’s choice for national security advisor and a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

An Chan-il, a former North Korean military officer who defected to the South and runs a think tank in Seoul, said Kim will gauge Trump’s comments about his country for potential interest in dialogue and determine whether to try and conduct an ICBM test launch.

“If Trump comes in and the North does not get a good signal in terms of how the relationship between the two countries is going to go, that’ll give them another reason to do it,” An said.

Kim also said that the North would continue to develop its pre-emptive nuclear strike capability if the United States and South Korea continue to conduct annual joint military exercises.

There are 28,500 U.S. troops based in South Korea, and North Korean state media often describes annual joint exercises as preparation for an attack.

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In February, North Korea launched a satellite into space, which was widely seen as a test of long-range ballistic missile technology.

A senior U.S. military official said last month that North Korea appears able to mount a miniaturised nuclear warhead on a missile but is still struggling with missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes.

Although it fired a variety of missile types last year, North Korea is not known to have test-launched a ballistic missile since October.</s>PYONGYANG, North Korea, Jan. 1 (UPI) — North Korea is almost ready to test an intercontinental ballistic missile, according to leader Kim Jong Un. An intercontinental launch system could allow the rogue nation to deliver a nuclear warhead to the United States.

In a televised speech on New Year’s Day, Kim promised North Korea would continue developing their nuclear arsenal, and would do so until the United States ceases conducting military exercises in South Korea.

“Research and development of the cutting-edge tech weapons are actively progressing and strengthening our defense capabilities, including last stage preparation of tests for Intercontinental Ballistic rocket launch have been continuously succeeding,” Kim said in the speech.

North Korea conducted two nuclear weapons tests in 2016, on top of several non-nuclear missile tests.

Though North Korea has made progress on its missile launch and nuclear bomb technologies, U.S. officials believe the country is still a ways from being able to deliver a nuclear weapon. North Korea is still working on miniaturizing its nuclear bombs so they can be attached to a missile.

The country’s long-range missile system is called KN-08. Though it’s been showcased several times, it has not yet been tested.</s>SEOUL (REUTERS) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said on Sunday (Jan 1) that the isolated nuclear-capable country was close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

"Research and development of cutting edge arms equipment is actively progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage," Kim said during a televised New Year's Day speech.

North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016, although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States.

The country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on Sept 9.

In February, North Korea launched a satellite into space, which was widely seen as a test of long-range ballistic missile technology.

A senior US military official said last month that North Korea appears able to mount a miniaturised nuclear warhead on a missile but is still struggling with missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes.</s>North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un used his New Year’s Day speech to proclaim that the communist nation was edging close to an intercontinental nuclear missile test launch. The leader said that the potentially devastating weapon was in its “last stage” and would be tested as soon as possible. Many fear that a successful ICBM launch would give the unstable leader the ability to deploy a nuclear weapon that could reach the United States.

The Daily Mail reports that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un gave a New Year’s Day address noting the progress the small communist nation has made regarding nuclear weapon and intercontinental missile testing. The United Nations has had sanctions on North Korea since 2006 when the country openly began testing nuclear and ballistic missiles, tests that were in direct conflict with UN policy. Despite the sanctions, Kim Jong Un has continued to boldly celebrate and air his military progress to the world via the country’s television network.

In his address, Kim Jong Un noted that research and development of the “cutting edge arms” was in the “last stage.”

The country has not been shy about denoting their missile and nuclear testing with the leader attempting not one but eight intermediate-range Musudan ballistic missiles just last year. Despite noting the progress North Korea has made, only one of the eight launches was successful. Despite the low rate of success, many foreign leaders have expressed concern over Un’s tests noting that the successful test was enough to give North Korea access to an attack on South Korea and Japan, and possibly the U.S. territory of Guam.

If North Korea successfully tests a long-range ballistic missile, it would give the country a missile range of up to 6,200 miles; California is just 5,592 miles from North Korea putting it at risk should Kim Jong Un’s plan come to fruition.

Reuters reports that U.S. State Department spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen is openly denouncing Kim Jong Un for his statements urging all nations to use all channels possible to limit North Korea’s influence.

The issue in North Korea is being taken seriously by not only the current Obama Administration, but U.S. Intelligence agencies have noted that President-Elect Donald Trump is also requesting a briefing on North Korea. A senior intelligence official told Reuters that President-Elect Donald Trump’s first and only classified intelligence briefing request has been regarding North Korea and Kim Jong Un.

As the North Korean dictator touts their military progress, others are looking to other signs that the isolated nation is going to attempt a long-range ballistic missile launch. Many point to North Korea’s successful satellite launch back in February of 2016 as part of the country’s long-range ballistic missile testing.

In Kim Jong Un’s address, he also noted that the testing would further cement the status of “socialism” as an “invincible fortress.”

What do you think of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un’s statements regarding further long-range ballistic missile testing? Should the United Nations do more to ensure that the small nation does not follow through with its plan?</s>North Korea is in the “final stages” of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, leader Kim Jong-Un said on Sunday, claiming the country had significantly bolstered its nuclear deterrent in 2016.

“We are in the final stages of test-launching the intercontinental ballistic missile,” Mr Kim said in a 30-minute televised New Year’s speech, pointing to a string of nuclear and missile tests last year.

Pyongyang had “soared as a nuclear power”, he said, adding it was now a “military power of the East that cannot be touched by even the strongest enemy.”

The country carried out two nuclear tests and numerous missile launches in 2016 in pursuit of its oft-stated goal of developing a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead.</s>North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un used his New Year’s Day speech to proclaim that the communist nation was edging close to an intercontinental nuclear missile test launch. The leader said that the potentially devastating weapon was in its “last stage” and would be tested as soon as possible. Many fear that a successful ICBM launch would give the unstable leader the ability to deploy a nuclear weapon that could reach the United States. The Daily Mail reports that North Korea’s Kim Jong Un gave a New Year’s Day address noting the progress the small communist nation has made regarding nuclear weapon and intercontinental missile testing. The United Nations has had sanctions on North Korea since 2006 when the country openly began testing nuclear and ballistic missiles, test that were in direct conflict with UN policy. Despite the sanctions, Kim Jong Un has continued to boldly celebrate and air his military progress to the world via the country’s television network. A man watches a TV screen showing picture of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016. [Image by Ahn Young-joon/AP Images] In his address, Kim Jong Un noted that research and development of the “cutting edge arms” was in the “last stage.” “Research and development of cutting edge arms equipment is actively progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage.” The country has not been shy about denoting their missile and nuclear testing with the leader attempting not one but eight intermediate-range Musudan ballistic missile just last year. Despite noting the progress North Korea has made, only one of the eight launches was successful. Despite the low rate of success, many foreign leaders have expressed concern over Un’s tests noting that the successful test was enough to give North Korea access to an attack on South Korea and Japan, and possibly the U.S. territory of Guam. May 10, 2016, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un waves in Pyongyang, North Korea. [Image by Wong Maye-E, File/AP Images] If North Korea successfully tests a long-range ballistic missile, it would give the country a missile range of up to 6,200 miles, California is just 5,592 miles from North Korea putting it at risk should Kim Jong Un’s plan come to fruition. Reuters reports that U.S. State Department spokeswoman Anna Richey-Allen is openly denouncing Kim Jong Un for his statements urging all nations to use all channels possible to limit North Korea’s influence. “All states to use every available channel and means of influence to make clear to the DPRK and its enablers that launches using ballistic missile technology are unacceptable, and take steps to show there are consequences to the DPRK’s unlawful conduct.” The issue in North Korea is being taken seriously by not only the current Obama Administration, but U.S. Intelligence agencies have noted that President-Elect Donald Trump is also requesting a briefing on North Korea. A senior intelligence official told Reuters that President-Elect Donald Trump’s first and only classified intelligence briefing request has been regarding North Korea and Kim Jong Un. Kim Jong Un says country is testing more ballistic missiles. [Image by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images] As the North Korean dictator touts their military progress, others are looking to other signs that the isolated nation is going to attempt a long-range ballistic missile launch. Many are point to North Korea’s successful satellite launch back in February of 2016 as part of the country’s long-range ballistic missile testing. In Kim Jong Un’s address he also noted that the testing would further cement the status of “socialism” as an “invincible fortress.” “The political and military position of socialism should be further cemented as an invincible fortress. We should resolutely smash the enemies’ despicable and vicious moves to dampen the pure and ardent desire of the people for the party and estrange the people from it.” What do you think of North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un’s statements regarding further long-range ballistic missile testing? Should the United Nations do more to ensure that the small nation does not follow through with its plan? [Featured Image by KRT/AP Photo]</s>North Korea is in the “final stages” of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile, leader Kim Jong-Un said Sunday, claiming the country had significantly bolstered its nuclear deterrent in 2016. “We are in the final stages of test-launching the intercontinental ballistic missile,” Kim said in a 30-minute televised New Year’s speech, pointing to a string of nuclear and missile tests last year.

Pyongyang had “soared as a nuclear power”, he said, adding it was now a “military power of the East that cannot be touched by even the strongest enemy.” The country carried out two nuclear tests and numerous missile launches in 2016 in pursuit of its oft-stated goal of developing a weapons system capable of hitting the US mainland with a nuclear warhead.

“We have seen marvellous feats for bolstering our military power including the fact that our preparations for test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile is in the final stages,” Kim added.

Analysts are divided over how close Pyongyang is to realising its full nuclear ambitions, especially as it has never successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). But all agree Pyongyang has made enormous strides in that direction since Kim took over as leader from his father, Kim Jong-Il who died in December 2011.</s>North Korea’s leader says his country is in the final stages of developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.

Kim Jong Un made his remarks Sunday in a televised New Year’s speech.

North Korea conducted two nuclear tests this year, undeterred by international rebukes and increased sanctions.

Beyond the existential threat to the world posed by permitting the unpredictable and repressive North Korean state to possess these weapons of mass destruction, analysts say giving in to Pyongyang’s demand to withdraw from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT) it signed in the 1980s could also spark a new global arms race.

The country has been under U.N. sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. Pyongyang has responded to the sanctions by accelerating its weapons development programs through the summer, testing numerous land-based and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test September 9.

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has said he is “deeply concerned (about) the mounting tension on the Korean peninsula imposed by North Korea’s ballistic missiles test as well as nuclear tests.”

A senior U.S. military official said last month that North Korea appears able to mount a miniaturized nuclear warhead on a missile but is still struggling with missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes.</s>North Korea is close to test-launching an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), according to its leader.

Kim Jong Un said on New Year's Day that research and development was actively progressing and the test launch was in its last stage of preparation.

North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016, although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States.

In a New Year's Day speech, the North Korean leader said: 'Research and development of cutting edge arms equipment is actively progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage.'

The country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on Sept. 9.

ICBMs have a minimum range of about 5,500km (3,418 miles), but some are designed to travel 10,000km or further. The U.S. state of California is roughly 9,000km from North Korea.

However, North Korea has struggled to reliably deploy its intermediate-range Musudan ballistic missile, succeeding just once in eight attempted launches last year.

The Musudan is designed to fly about 3,000 km (1,860 miles), posing a threat to South Korea and Japan, and possibly the U.S. territory of Guam.

South Korea's defence ministry declined to comment on whether North Korea would test launch an ICBM soon.

The revelation comes as a senior US intelligence official claimed President-elect Donald Trump's first and, at that time only, request for a special classified intelligence briefing was for one on North Korea and its nuclear weapons programme.

North Korea and its nuclear programme has also been of interest to retired Lieutenant General Michael Flynn, Trump's choice for national security advisor and a former director of the Defense Intelligence Agency.

An Chan-il, a former North Korean military officer who defected to the South and runs a think tank in Seoul, said Kim will gauge Trump's comments about his country for potential interest in dialogue and determine whether to try and conduct an ICBM test launch.

'If Trump comes in and the North does not get a good signal in terms of how the relationship between the two countries is going to go, that'll give them another reason to do it,' An said.

Kim also said that the North would continue to develop its pre-emptive nuclear strike capability if the United States and South Korea continue to conduct annual joint military exercises.

There are 28,500 U.S. troops based in South Korea, and North Korean state media often describes annual joint exercises as preparation for an attack.

In February, North Korea launched a satellite into space, which was widely seen as a test of long-range ballistic missile technology.

A senior U.S. military official said last month that North Korea appears able to mount a miniaturised nuclear warhead on a missile but is still struggling with missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes.

Although it fired a variety of missile types last year, North Korea is not known to have test-launched a ballistic missile since October.</s>TOKYO — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hinted Sunday that Pyongyang may ring in the new year with another bang — the test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile.

In his annual New Year's address, Kim said that after testing what the North claims was its first hydrogen bomb last year, preparations for launching an intercontinental ballistic missile have "reached the final stage."

Kim did not explicitly say an ICBM test, which if successful would be a big step forward for the North, was imminent. But he has a birthday coming up on Jan. 8, and last year Pyongyang conducted a nuclear test on Jan. 6.

Kim threatened in the address to boost his country's military capabilities further unless the U.S. ends war games with rival South Korea. But he also said efforts must be made to defuse the possibility of another Korean war and stressed the importance of building the economy under a five-year plan announced in May.

"The political and military position of socialism should be further cemented as an invincible fortress," Kim said, according to an outline of the speech carried by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. "We should resolutely smash the enemies' despicable and vicious moves to dampen the pure and ardent desire of the people for the party and estrange the people from it."

Related: Here's How Trump Vowed to Deal with 'Bad Dudes' Like Kim

The address was shown on television mixing video with Kim speaking and stretches of audio only, as still photos were broadcast. It was less than 30 minutes long.

South Korea's Unification Ministry said in a statement that it "strongly condemns" Kim's threat to proceed with a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile and strengthen North Korea's nuclear-strike capabilities. It said that the international community will not tolerate North Korean efforts to develop nuclear weapons, and that the North will only face tougher sanctions and pressure if it continues to go down that path.

Under Kim, who rose to power following his father's death in 2011, North Korea has seen steady progress in its nuclear and missile programs, including two nuclear tests in 2016. It recently claimed a series of technical breakthroughs in its goal of developing a long-range nuclear missile capable of reaching the continental United States.

U.N. resolutions call for an end to North Korea's nuclear and missile tests. Kim appears uninterested in complying.

The year ahead could be a tumultuous one in north Asia, with Donald Trump set to become the new U.S. president on Jan. 20, and South Korea's politics in disarray over a scandal that brought the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye.

Kim indicated there will be no change in the North's nuclear policy unless Washington makes a big, conciliatory first move, which, even with the advent of Trump, would seem unlikely.

Trump has somewhat offhandedly suggested he would be willing to meet with Kim — but not in North Korea — and has at the same time indicated that he wants China to exert significantly more control over Pyongyang to get it to abandon its nuclear program.

Demands from Pyongyang for the U.S. to stop its joint military exercises with the South and enter into negotiations to sign a peace treaty formally ending the 1950-53 Korean War have fallen on deaf ears in Washington for years amid an atmosphere of distrust and deepening hostility.

Kim is in his early 30s and is now in his fifth year as the North's leader.

His New Year addresses, and a marathon speech at the May ruling party congress, are a contrast with his enigmatic father, Kim Jong Il, who rarely spoke in public. But he has yet to meet a foreign head of state or travel outside of North Korea since assuming power, and remains one the world's most mysterious national leaders.
Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea, claims that the country is close to developing an intercontinental ballistic missile.