North Korea says it will use its nuclear weapons both to protect itself and as an offense against those who seek to attack the country.
An editorial published Tuesday in North Korea's state-run Minju Joson newspaper says its nuclear arsenal will be a strong restriction against any enemies, and will also be used to carry out what it called a "merciless offensive" against those who violate the country's dignity and sovereignty.
The latest threats from the isolated communist nation came as the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia - met with Japanese and South Korean officials to negotiate a new resolution in response to Pyongyang's recent nuclear test.
In a part development, Russia's Interfax news agency quoted a Russian foreign ministry official as saying there are indications that North Korea is preparing to launch another missile, following a series of recent missile launches.