North Korea has threatened to use nuclear weapons for self-defense if attacked by the U.S., CBS reported Saturday.

According to the U.S. TV network, North Korea’s Lieutenant General Rhee Chan-bok made the remarks to the visiting CBS anchor Dan Rather at the end of last year.

Rhee asked Rather to tell the U.S. people that if the U.S. attacks the North, the People’s Army will fight to the end to protect themselves and to retaliate.

CBS also quoted Rhee as saying the North has nuclear weapons.

Showing North Korean soldiers stationed near the demilitarized zone, Rhee criticized the neo-cons in the Bush administration for the strengthened military exercise and propaganda efforts of the U.S. and the South.

The CBS team made a 10-day trip to cover the communist state last October, but did not inspect any nuclear facilities.