North Korean leader: We will work to strengthen and develop our nuclear capabilities

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to "strengthen and develop" his country's nuclear weapons, stressing that the country's nuclear weapons are a "symbol of national strength" and must be diversified.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has vowed to "strengthen and develop" his country's nuclear weapons, state media reported.

This came in a speech he delivered while attending a military parade in Pyongyang, in which he said, "We will continue at the fastest pace to take steps to enhance and develop our country's nuclear capabilities," according to a report published by the official North Korean Central News Agency.

The agency noted that Kim delivered his speech late Monday during a military parade marking the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People's Revolutionary Army in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.

North Korea is subject to strict US and UN sanctions over its nuclear weapons program, and multiple negotiations with Kim have so far not convinced him to put an end to his nuclear program.

Kim stressed that the country's nuclear weapons are "a symbol of national strength" and should be diversified, adding, "In preparation for the turbulent political and military situation and all kinds of crises in the future, we will strengthen our nuclear power as quickly as possible."

The North Korean leader said that although the primary role of nuclear weapons in his country is deterrence, they can be deployed if North Korea's "essential interests" are attacked.

During the military parade, it was expected that North Korea's most advanced weapons would be revealed, including the ICBM "Hwasong-17" called "The Beast", in addition to hypersonic ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

The North Korean agency stated that the presentation did include the "Hwasong-17" missile, which North Korea claims to have successfully tested on March 24.

"The viewers cheered and were very excited when they saw the Hwasongfu-17 intercontinental ballistic missile that soared into the sky on March 24 to demonstrate the absolute power of the Juche Korea Doctrine and the strategic position of our republic in front of the world," the agency said.

The North Korean Central News Agency has not published any pictures of the military parade so far, according to Agence France-Presse.

Three days of fighting in Nat Chaung village in Kalemyo has forced the entire village to flee

Residents of Nat Chaung village in Kalemyo Township, Sagaing Division, have been fleeing the village for three days since April 24.

A Nat Chaung villager told RFA on condition of anonymity that six houses in the village were also set on fire.

"This time, five houses were set on fire," he said. There are about six houses. Soldiers set it on fire. The fighting is still going on. Even now I hear gunshots. "

Nat Chaung is the largest village in the southern part of Kalemyo with more than 2,000 houses. Some locals are fleeing to villages east of the Myittha River, according to locals.

General Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the military council, could not be reached for comment by RFA until this afternoon.

In Nat Chaung village, 43 houses were set on fire for the first time on December 23 last year, and for the second time on March 16, 78 houses were set on fire. On April 11, 109 houses were set on fire for the third time.

A total of 245 houses were set on fire in Nat Chaung village, killing 14 Nat Chaung villagers at the hands of the military council, locals said.