Iran Press/ Asia: Addressing the UN General Assembly, Kim also said the "anti-epidemic situation in our country is now under safe and stable control" as a result of measures taken to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus.
"Based on its reliable guarantee for safeguarding the security of the state and people, the DPRK is now directing all its efforts to economic construction," said Kim, using his country's formal name - Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
"It is a matter of fact that we badly need an external environment favorable for economic construction," he said. "But, we cannot sell off our dignity just in hope for brilliant transformation – the dignity which we have defended as valuable as our own life. This is our steadfast position."
He said North Korea was still being threatened by military hardware like stealth fighters being used on the Korean Peninsula and "nuclear strike means of all kinds are directly aimed at the DPRK."
"Genuine peace can only be safeguarded when one possesses the absolute strength to prevent war itself," Kim said. "As we have obtained the reliable and effective war deterrent for self-defense by tightening our belts, peace, and security of the Korean peninsula and the region are now firmly defended."
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