"Such assertion does not make any sense and it is invalid," Ju Chol Ho, a general officer of the Korean People's Army, told KCNA in a sharp tone of voice.

He further said:

"As signatories to the Armistice Agreement, the DPRK and the U.S. are now technically at a state of war.

The U.S. and its followers have ceaselessly carried on war rehearsals in and around the Korean Peninsula.

So, it is quite natural for the DPRK, a belligerent, to have access to long-range rocket and nuke which the U.S., its warring party, already possessed in great numbers, and it is indisputable.

The DPRK is well aware of what option it should take to defend its sovereignty and dignity.

It is entitled to possess all kinds of latest weaponry the U.S. has, including A-bomb or something more powerful than it."

Kim Un Song, an officer of the KPA, said:

"It is the DPRK's steadfast will to overpower the U.S. on the strength of most powerful weapons unknown to the world.

The third nuclear test is no more than a step forward that demonstrated the will."

Ham Kuk Chol, an officer of the KPA, said:

"The arbitrariness of the hostile forces denying the legitimate right of a sovereign state without reason can never work on the DPRK.

The U.S. persistent moves against the DPRK will only incite sustained display of the latter's inexhaustible strength."