North Korea leader says nuclear button always on his desk

Kim Jong Un. KOREAN CENTRAL NEWS AGENCY VIA AP

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un warned Monday that his country’s nuclear arsenal was complete and the launch button was always on his desk, even as he expressed a willingness to send a delegation to the upcoming PyeongChang Olympics.

While showing defiance to the US, Kim struck a conciliatory note toward Seoul, saying he was open to resuming bilateral talks to discuss the North’s participation in the Olympics if South Korea is ready to halt joint military exercises.

The young leader’s mixed message — nuclear threats toward Washington and a conciliatory tone toward Seoul — is part of the North’s “peaceful offensive” strategy aimed at improving inter-Korean ties as a way to gain concessions from the US over its nuclear program, analysts said.

“The entire area of the US mainland is within our nuclear strike range. The US should now acknowledge that the button for nuclear weapons is always on my desk. They should know it is not blackmail but a reality,” Kim said in his nationally televised New Year’s speech.

“Our nuclear force is powerful enough to counter any threats from the US and prevent it from playing any games with us. The US can never start a war against me and our country. These weapons will be used only if our security is threatened.”

Dressed in a western-style gray suit and tie, the young leader said North Korea was ready to mass produce “reliable and advanced” nuclear missiles capable of reaching the US mainland and field them on the frontline.

Kim devoted latter part of the speech to expressing his willingness to send a delegation to the Olympics if the allies halt their annual Key Resolve exercise. If the drill proceeded as it did last year, it would coincide with the Winter Olympics and Paralympic Games, which are to be held from Feb. 9-25 and from March 9-18, respectively.

In an interview with NBC News last month, President Moon Jae-in said South Korea was willing to push back the upcoming drill if North Korea shows willingness to pause their nuclear and missile tests before the Winter Games kick off on Feb. 9.

“Winter Olympics will be a prime opportunity to demonstrate the spirit of our people. In that regard, we are prepared to take various steps, including the dispatch of a delegation and I believe the authorities of North and South Korea can urgently meet to discuss the matter,” Kim said.

“Above all, we must ease acute military tension between the North and the South and create conditions for a peaceful environment. The authorities in the South should stop conducting a nuclear war drill with a foreign nation.”

Analysts said North Korea appeared to focus more on improving the two Koreas’ relations as a way to address international isolation as the country faces mounting sanctions and pressure from the US and the international community.

“Through the message, Kim shows that there is not much expectation from the Trump administration as it faces mid-term election in 2018. Instead, it offered proactive peaceful offensive to South Korea,” said Kim Dong-yup, a professor at Kyungnam University’s Far East Institute.

“Our priority should be on how to reconcile resolving North Korea’s nuclear issue with improving the two Koreas’ relations. We have to come up with a strategic approach and enhance coordination with the US,” said Cheong Seong-chang, a senior research fellow at the Sejong Institute.