"Button on my Desk": Kim Calls on DPRK to Make More Nukes

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in his New Year's Day speech on Monday called on his country to accelerate mass production of nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles.

"It is necessary to activate large-scale production and practical deployment of nuclear warheads, ballistic missiles," Kim was quoted as saying by South Korea's Yonhap news agency. "[The North] can cope with any kind of nuclear threats from the US and has a strong nuclear deterrence that is able to prevent the US from playing with fire," Kim said.

North Korean leader also stressed that "The nuclear button is always on my desk. This is not blackmail but reality."

Meantime, Kim Jong Un also said that North Korea is ready to send its athletes to 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea's Pyeongchang.

"The Winter Games to be held in South Korea will be a good occasion for the country. We sincerely hope...