Kim Jong Un says he has the 'true nuclear deterrent'

"The miniaturised nuclear warheads have been standardised to be fit for ballistic missiles'

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UN warns of sanctions after north Korea rocket launch
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) watches a long range rocket launch into the air in North Korea, in this photo released by Kyodo February 7, 2016. North Korea launched a long-range rocket on Sunday carrying what it has called a satellite, but its neighbors and Washington denounced the launch as a missile test, conducted in defiance of U.N. sanctions and just weeks after a nuclear bomb tes Reuters

North Korea has miniaturized nuclear warheads that can be mounted on ballistic missiles, leader Kim Jong Un has said.

The statement is in line with the belligerent posturing that followed the new UN sanctions on the country and Pyongyang's warning that it will carry out pre-emptive nuclear strikes on the US and North Korea.

US and South Korea are conducting a large-scale annual military drill, which Pyongyang has dubbed as 'war games' and a rehearsal for invasion.

North Korea conducted its fourth nuclear test in January saying it successfully tested a hydrogen bomb. State media then repeated the claims of having nuclear arsenal several times, but it's the first time Kim as made the claims personally.

"The nuclear warheads have been standardised to be fit for ballistic missiles by miniaturising them," Kim said, according to state news agency KCNA.

He added that the weapons capability is the country's "true nuclear deterrent."

The news agency also said Kim stressed the need to build "ever more powerful, precision and miniaturised nuclear weapons and their delivery means."

Earlier last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had ordered the military to be ready to use nuclear weapons any time, following the UN sanctions on the country for its pursuit of nuclear weapons and missile technology.

The ultra aggressive posturing followed the imposing of the toughest ever UN sanctions on North Korea for its pursuit of nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that vastly expands sanctions on North Korea after its nuclear and missile tests.

This article was first published on March 9, 2016
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