North Korean leader Kim Jong-un says that his country is in the "final stages" of preparing to test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

In a televised New Year’s speech on Sunday, Kim touted the advancements of the North’s nuclear and missile capabilities, saying that he made great achievements over several years including successful tests of a hydrogen bomb and artificial satellites.

Kim said that the North should develop more weapons and will continue to build up its self-defense capabilities unless its enemies halt war rehearsals.

He claimed that the United States is seeking to colonize the Korean Peninsula and its South Korean puppets escalated tensions in the region last year with reckless provocations, but they dared not to instigate a war.

Kim said that North Korea must confront the forces that are against reunification such as the international community and the United States, and that all Koreans should join forces to open the path for the independent reunification of the Korean Peninsula.

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