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Kim Jong Un says North Korea won’t use nukes first

PYONGYANG, North Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says his country will not use its nuclear weapons first unless its sovereignty is invaded.

North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency quoted Kim as saying he is also ready to improve ties with “hostile” nations in a diplomatic overture in the face of international pressure over its recent nuclear test and long-range rocket launch.

The news agency said Sunday that Kim, during a critical ruling party congress, called for more talks with rival South Korea to reduce misunderstanding and distrust between them and urged the U.S. to stay away from inter-Korean issues.

Analysts have anticipated Kim to use the first Workers’ Party congress in decades to propose talks with rivals to exploit what he considers as increased leverage as a nuclear power.

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