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| North Korea Claims Hwasong-17 Is The World's Most Powerful Nuclear Weapon |
Pyongyang - North Korean leader, Kim Jong-un expressed his desire to make his country the most powerful nuclear power in the world. As reported by Reuters Monday (28/11/2022), he conveyed this while attending a promotion ceremony for dozens of military officers who were involved in North Korea's recent ballistic missile launch.
Read Also: Facts About the Hwasong-17 Missile, North Korea's Latest Newly Launched ICBM Missile
The KCNA news agency reported that Jong-un confirmed his destination after he inspected the test of the new Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). He said Pyongyang's main goal of strengthening its nuclear power is to protect the dignity and sovereignty of the country and people.
Kim Jong-un also described the Hwasong-17 as 'the world's strongest strategic weapon', in addition to vowing to build the strongest military force in the world. The missile is claimed to be capable of reaching the US mainland, prompting Washington to press the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to hold Pyongyang accountable for a series of missile tests it has conducted previously.
Read Also: North Korea Claims It Has Tested a New Type of Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)
KCNA, in another report, stated that the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly of North Korea also awarded the Hwasong-17 missile with the titles of the 'Hero Medal and Gold Star of the DPRK and Class One of the National Flag'. “(The missile) clearly proved to the world that the Democratic People's Republic of Korea is a fully-fledged nuclear power capable of countering the US imperialist nuclear supremacy.
In another development, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Jong-un that Beijing was ready to work with Pyongyang to create "world peace". In the message, Xi Jinping mentioned that China is willing to work with North Korea in promoting world peace, development and regional prosperity. He emphasized that this cooperation is in line with the times, including current technological changes.
The US has previously expressed its desire that China use its good relations with North Korea to persuade the country not to be 'too aggressive' in developing nuclear weapons, thereby maintaining global peace. Washington made this statement after Pyongyang claimed its new missile was capable of "destroying" the US mainland in "an instant". Pyongyang's series of missile launches also drew criticism from UN member states, but China and Russia took a neutral stance