DPRK Leader Speech: Kim Jong Un shows polarized attitudes towards US and South Korea

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DPRK leader Kim Jong Un has delivered a televised New Year's Day speech, showing the country's polarized attitudes towards the United States and South Korea. Natalie Pang has the details.

Compared with other leader's New Year's greetings, Kim Jong Un's speech was anything but warm.

KIM JONG UN DPRK SUPREME LEADER "The entire United States is within range of our nuclear weapons, and a nuclear button is always on my desk..."

Tensions between the United States and the DPRK heightened in 2017, as Pyongyang launched several missiles. And this year, Kim is possibly looking at a weapons expansion.

KIM JONG UN DPRK SUPREME LEADER "This year, we should focus on mass producing nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles for operational deployment."

However, his tone towards South Korea has softened.

KIM JONG UN DPRK SUPREME LEADER "This year marks the 70th anniversary of the DPRK's establishment, and the South will host the Winter Games. This year holds significance for the two sides."

Kim said the DPRK is ready to send a delegation to February's Pyeongchang Olympics. This comes as a surprise to Seoul, but it hopes its neighbor's participation might ease tensions, or be a step to mending relations.