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    North Korea says it will never give up nukes

    SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA (AP) – North Korean leader Kim Jong-un stressed his country will never abandon the nuclear weapons it needs to counter the United States (US), which he accused of pushing to weaken the North’s defences and eventually collapse his government, state media said yesterday.

    Kim made the comments during a speech on Thursday at North Korea’s Parliament, where members passed legislation governing the use of nuclear weapons, which Kim described as a step to cement the country’s nuclear status and make clear such weapons will not be bargained.

    The law spells out conditions where North Korea would be inclined to use its nuclear weapons, including when it determines that its leadership is facing an imminent “nuclear or non-nuclear attack by hostile forces”. The law requires North Korea’s military to “automatically” execute nuclear strikes against enemy forces, including their “starting point of provocation and the command”, if Pyongyang’s leadership comes under attack.

    The law also says North Korea could use nukes to prevent an unspecified “catastrophic crisis” to its government and people, a loose definition that experts said reflect an escalatory nuclear doctrine that could create greater concerns for neighbours.

    Kim also criticised South Korea over its plans to expand its conventional strike capabilities and revive military exercises with the US to counter the North’s growing threats, describing them as a “dangerous” military action that raises tensions.

    Kim has made increasingly provocative threats of nuclear conflict toward the US and its allies in Asia, also warning that the North would proactively use its nuclear weapons when threatened.

    “The purpose of the US is not only to remove our nuclear might itself, but eventually forcing us to surrender or weaken our rights to self-defence through giving up our nukes, so that they could collapse our government at any time,” Kim said in the speech published by the North’s official Korean Central News Agency.

    “Let them sanction us for 100 days, 1,000 days, 10 years or 100 years,” Kim said. “We will never give up our rights to self-defence that preserves our country’s existence and the safety of our people just to temporarily ease the difficulties we are experiencing now.”

    North Korean leader Kim Jong-un delivers a speech during Parliament in Pyongyang, North Korea. PHOTO: AP
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