North Korea to expand economic, nuclear capabilities

North Korea has decided to simultaneously expand its nuclear weapons capability “in quality and quantity” and push forward economic development.

According to Press TV, the decision was made during the third day of North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) congress on Sunday.

Addressing thousands of delegates attending the meeting in the capital, Pyongyang, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un urged all the participants to press ahead with the “byungjin” policy of twin economic and nuclear development.

“We will consistently take hold on the strategic line of simultaneously pushing forward the economic construction and the building of nuclear force and boost self-defensive nuclear force both in quality and quantity as long as the imperialists persist in their nuclear threat and arbitrary practices,” Kim said, in an apparent reference to the United States and its allies.

The congress endorsed Kim’s “byungjin,” as well as his strategy of using nukes only if the country’s sovereignty is threatened by a nuclear power.

The congress, which opened on Friday, stressed that the nuclear weapons program will move forward as long as there are nuclear threats against the country.

North Korea accuses the US of plotting with its regional allies to topple the government in Pyongyang. The country describes its nuclear capabilities as a deterrent against hostile US policies.

ME