North Korea could strike first with nuclear weapons, says Kim Jong-un

Kim Jong-un has signalled a shift in North Korea's nuclear arms policy by suggesting a preemptive strike is possible - a change from his previous stance that the weapons were solely for deterrence and defence.

Speaking at a massive military parade in Pyongyang this week, the dictator vowed to speed up the development of his country’s nuclear arsenal, amid stalled denuclearisation talks with the United States and an incoming conservative administration in South Korea.

He said that while the weapons’ fundamental mission is to “deter war”, the arms “cannot be confined solely within the boundaries of preventing a war”, state news agency KCNA reported on Tuesday.

“If any forces try to violate the fundamental interests of our state, our nuclear forces will have to decisively accomplish its unexpected second mission,” Mr Kim said.