Josh Smith

SEOUL (Reuters). -North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un stated Monday that the country will keep developing “formidable striking abilities” that can not be traded or bought for any price. He was visiting workers who were involved in North Korea’s largest missile test.

Kim met with scientists, engineers, and workers involved in Thursday’s missile launch, according to the state news agency KCNA. North Korea claimed that it had launched its biggest intercontinental ballistic missile, ICBM, on Thursday.

According to Kim, “Only when one has the formidable striking abilities, overwhelming military power, that cannot be stopped, one can prevent wars, ensure the security of the nation, and contain and put in control any threats by the imperialists.”

Kim, who personally witnessed the test, said that the new ICBM was meant to prevent any American military actions. This is despite the fact that the Korean War of 1950-1953 concluded in an armistice and not a ceasefire.

Washington tried to force Pyongyang to surrender or reduce its nuclear arsenal and ICBMs. This could allow the United States to strike targets there.

Kim stated that his self-defense force cannot be traded or bought with any other and would not be affected by harsh trials.

Kim spoke of North Korea’s desire to continue to develop a more “perfect and stronger strategic force”, referring specifically to its nuclear forces.

On Friday, the United States stated that it will press United Nations sanctions on North Korea for being strengthened due to its “increasingly dangerous provocations.” But China and Russia voiced their opposition to such moves and advocated to ease them.

North Korea claimed Thursday’s missile to be the Hwasong-17. Japan and South Korea both confirmed that the launch was higher than previous North Korean tests and flew for longer periods of time.

Analysts stated that media coverage of the North’s launch appeared to have been distorted by state media. South Korea’s Yonhap newspaper reported Sunday that Washington intelligence officers believed that North Korea had actually tested an older Hwasong-15 ICBM.