Thousands of North Koreans have rallied in Pyongyang, chanting communist slogans and vowing support for leader Kim Jong-Un, who in his New Year`s message announced plans to test-fire a ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.
“The people should regard Kim Jong-un’s New Year address as a motto of life and struggle,” KCNA state agency said, citing a North Korean official at the rally.
Kim Jong-un made the statement on Pyongyang’s development of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) during a televised New Year’s message.
“Research and development of cutting-edge arms equipment is actively progressing, and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage,” Kim said.
Participants attend a mass rally in Pyongyang on January 5, 2017 in honour of tasks set forth by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un following his New Year address to the nation.
The situation has worsened since Washington’s recent decision to deploy sophisticated nuclear-capable bombers at its base on Guam in the western Pacific, and the announcement of the deployment of THAAD missile systems in South Korea.
Pyongyang has repeatedly said that it is ready to battle the US “with nuclear hammers of justice” and that the North has all the resources necessary to battle US “nuclear hegemony.”
Thousands of North Koreans have rallied in Pyongyang, chanting communist slogans and vowing support for leader Kim Jong-Un, who in his New Year`s message announced plans to test-fire a ballistic missile capable of reaching the US mainland.
In September, Pyongyang stated that it conducted its fifth nuclear test, announcing it is now capable of mounting nuclear warheads on ballistic rockets.
The September test appears to be the most powerful in the history of North Korea’s nuclear program (20-30 kilotons), according to estimates from South Korea’s Defense Ministry and data from various science and technology universities across the globe. The yield of the previous January 2016 test was about 6-10 kilotons. Earlier tests were conducted in 2013 (6-16 kilotons), 2009 (2-5 kilotons), and 2006 (1-2 kilotons).
