North Korea ''close'' to testing long-range missiles

Seoul: North Korea is in the final stages of preparing to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the country`s leader said on Sunday in the latest sign that Pyongyang will not abandon its nuclear and missile programmes.

"We were actively engaged in research and development of advanced weapons... The develpoment of long-range missiles is in final stages," Kim Jong-Un said in a televised New Year`s message broadcast by the state-run TV station.

His remarks come amid growing speculation that North Korea may carry out more powerful provocations around its key anniversaries this year as it pumps up efforts to make miniaturised and diversified nuclear weapons with the goal of developing a nuclear-tipped ICBM which can fly as far as the US mainland.

Kim, in his speech, said that North Korea soared as a nuclear and military power boosted by the success of the country`s two nuclear tests last year. 

The North Korean leader vowed to develop more weapons to boost its strike capabilities. 

Kim also threatened that Pyongyang will beef up its readiness to launch pre-emptive nuclear strikes if the United States and South Korea do not suspend their annual joint military exercises.

"(If they do not stop nuclear threats), North Korea will keep increasing the military capabilities for self-defence and pre-emptive striking capacity with a main emphasis on nuclear force," he said.

For Pyongyang, the year 2017 is "an opportune time," as it believes that Seoul and Washington will not be able to take physical or military actions to deter its nuclear aspirations due to their internal political situation, said Thae, a former top North Korean diplomat who defected to the South last July.