N Korea's 'strong war deterrent'

2006-07-05 15:09

Seoul - North Korea's "strong war deterrent" has kept the country at peace, the North's state-run broadcaster said on Wednesday, making no mention of Pyongyang's missile test-launches earlier in the day.

An announcer on the Korean Central Broadcasting Station also said that North Korea was prepared to cope with any provocation by the United States.

The state-run media often accuses Washington of planning an attack on Pyongyang.

Provocation

"Now, our military and people are fully prepared to cope with any provocation and challenge by US imperialists," the broadcast said.

"Maintenance of peace in our country is entirely made possible by our strong war deterrent," the announcer continued, adding that without the deterrent, the North would have suffered a "cruel nuclear disaster".

The statement, however, made no mention of the one long-range missile and six shorter-range missiles North Korea fired earlier in the day.

- AP