DPRK: US attempting to wage nuclear war

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-10-17 08:45

PYONGYANG -- Kim Yong-nam, top legislator of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), on Monday accused Washington of attempting to wage a nuclear war on the DPRK and reaffirmed that the country's first nuclear test was part of its self-defense.

Kim made the remarks at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the formation of the Down-with-Imperialism Union (DIU), according to the official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

"The security of our socialist country is seriously threatened by the daily-growing threat of a nuclear war from the U.S. and its vicious moves to isolate and stifle the DPRK," said Kim.

Kim reaffirmed the DPRK's stance on the nuclear test conducted last Monday.

"The DPRK took a fresh countermeasure (nuclear test) to cope with the threat of a nuclear war by its enemies and their moves of sanctions and pressure," Kim said.

The KCNA announced last Monday that the DPRK had conducted a successful underground nuclear test, an action which has drawn criticism from the international community.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Saturday, which condemned the nuclear test, demanded that the DPRK eliminate its nuclear weapons, and imposed sanctions on the country in spheres related to its nuclear, ballistic missiles and weapons of mass destruction.