Kim Jong Un says North Korea would only use nukes if provoked

PYONGYANG, North Korea, May 8 (UPI) -- In speech given Saturday, but broadcast Sunday, North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un promised his country would only deploy nuclear weapons unless provoked by "invasive hostile forces with nuclear weapons."

During the three-hour speech, Kim signaled his aims to improve relations with the United States and South Korea. In an effort to tamper rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea will hold off on their next nuclear weapons tests, which many experts believed were imminent.

The speech was given during the ruling Workers' Party of Korea's Seventh Congress, which began on Friday. It is the first congress held in 36 years.

Kim said his country's nuclear ambitions are for deterrence purposes only and that North Korea would "faithfully fulfill its obligation for non-proliferation and strive for global denuclearization."

Hong Hyun-ik, a senior researcher at Sejong Institute, told the Korea Times the seemingly contradictory stance may be an attempt to drive a wedge between international opponents of its nuclear program.

"It showed room for negotiation, but did not step an inch back from stance on pursuing a nuclear program," Hong said. "It could cause a rift in keeping coordinated international sanctions among countries which interpret Kim's stance differently."

Kim also promised to improve economic conditions and the standard of living in North Korea -- to "keep ushering in a great golden age of socialist construction" -- though he offered few details on how exactly he would do so.