According to the Italian paper Il Centro on January 6, he told reporters that the first H-bomb test conducted by the DPRK was for self-defence and that every country has the right to choose the solution to protecting its own people.

He said the most ideal way is dialogue and that he attached importance to dialogue and the DPRK also aspires after it. He stressed the international community hopes to improve the relations with the DPRK and see the sanctions against it lifted.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Mfumalanga Provincial Committee of the South African Communist Party sent a message to the DPRK embassy in Pretoria on January 6 warmly hailing the success of the first H-bomb test for protecting the socialist cause and defending the DPRK.