Kim Jong-Un announces to conduct tests of nuclear warheads, ballistic missiles

Seoul, Mar 15: North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un announced to conduct tests of nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles to increase the reliance" of the North's nuclear attack capability, media reported.

This development has come in the wake of sanctions imposed after nuclear and missile tests earlier this year.

The warning came as North Korea said it had made a breakthrough in its pursuit of a long-range missile capable of striking the US mainland.

Kim issued the order for the tests "in a short time," according to the Korean Central News Agency.

The KCNA report did not say if Kim gave specific dates for the tests. It is not clear if the tests would happen soon, given that any tests would likely invite harsher international sanctions after the country was hit by the toughest UN Security Council sanctions in two decades in early March for a nuclear test and long-range rocket launch conducted earlier this year.

Pyongyang, known for its trademark fiery rhetoric in times of tension with the outside world, has been stepping up its threats after Washington and Seoul last week began annual military drills that the North views as an invasion rehearsal. The drills, set to run until late April, are the largest ever.

OneIndia News (With agency inputs)