US, Seoul protest Pyongyang declaration of being a nuclear power | WPN World People News

North Korea has proclaimed itself a nuclear power in its revised constitution, a claim which was rejected quickly by both the US and South Korea.

The proclamation was carried by the 'Naenara' (My Nation) website. The text of the constitution, following its revision during a parliamentary session on April 13, reads: 'National Defence Commission chairman Kim Jong-Il turned our fatherland into an invincible state of political ideology, a nuclear-armed state and an indomitable military power, paving the ground for the construction of a strong and prosperous nation.'

After the death of long-time ruler Kim Jong-Il in December last year, the charter was revised to consecrate his achievements. He was succeeded by his son Kim Jong-Un.

The US State Department, rejecting the claim, said: "The United States has long maintained that we will never accept North Korea as a nuclear power."

Seoul has also strongly contended its neighbours' nuclear ambitions.

"At first, nuclear-weapon state status is in line with the terms of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), but North Korea itself has admitted that it is not a member of the NPT," foreign ministry spokesperson Cho Byung-jae, was quoted as saying by Yonhap.

North Korea has carried out two nuclear tests, one in 2006 and another in 2009. The country is reportedly gearing up for the third one.

Under a September 2005 deal reached during six-nation talks, North Korea agreed to dismantle its nuclear programme in exchange for economic and diplomatic benefits and security guarantees.

However, the six-party talks on implementing the deal have been stalled since December 2008.

Source: Asia Pacific News.Net