Kim Jung-un: North Korea almost ready to test long-range missile
The worrying move would mark an advance in the secretive state’s attempt to build a nuclear weapon capable of reaching as far as the American mainland. Delivering his annual New Years Day speech from the capital Pyongyang, the dictator claimed his nation's preparations to launch an intercontinental missile had “reached the final stage”. "Research and development of the cutting-edge tech weapons are actively progressing and strengthening our defence capabilities, including last stage preparation of tests for intercontinental ballistic rocket launch have been continuously succeeding," he said on state television.
GETTY•EPA Kim Jung-un made the announcement during a New Years Day speech
Tests for intercontinental ballistic rocket launch have been continuously succeeding Kim Jung-un
Although the dictator did no specify a date as to when the test would take place, the leader’s birthday is on January 8, and last year North Korea conducted one of a series of nuclear tests on January 6. In his address to the nation, Kim threatened to further bulk up his country’s military force unless the US ended its war drills “right under our noses” with its long-time allies South Korea. “The political and military position of socialism should be further cemented as an invincible fortress," Kim said, according to an outline of the speech carried out by the North's official Korean Central News Agency. "We should resolutely smash the enemies' despicable and vicious moves to dampen the pure and ardent desire of the people for the party and estrange the people from it."
Inside North Korea: The pictures Kim Jong-un doesn't want you to see Thu, December 15, 2016 Since 2008, photographer Eric Lafforgue ventured to North Korea six times. Thanks to digital memory cards, he was able to save photos that was forbidden to take inside the segregated state Play slideshow Eric Lafforgue/Exclusivepix Medi 1 of 69 Taking pictures in the DMZ is easy, but if you come too close to the soldiers, they stop you