North Korea has resumed production of highly enriched uranium necessary to make a nuclear bomb after
insisting it will continue to test ballistic missiles in preparation for a strike against the US.
The communist state's Atomic Energy Institute said it was reprocessing spent nuclear fuel rods in the face of "constant threats" from Washington.
North Korea carried out its first nuclear test in three years in January, claiming to have trialled a hydrogen bomb deep in an underground bunker.
Pyongyang has also carried out missile tests which are crucial to the country's claims to be able to strike the US mainland.
Without a viable intercontinental ballistic missile North Korea will only be able to reach its nearest neighbours including South Korea, Japan and China.
The North Korean institute said it had already succeeded in making "lighter" nuclear weapons and there was no intention of halting nuclear tests.
A statement said: "Under conditions that the United States constantly threatens us with nuclear weapons, we will not discontinue nuclear tests.
Some of the alleged threats posed by the US may include a new missile defence system being installed in South Korea.
Seoul plans to host a Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) unit with the help of the US military to protect itself from nuclear attack.
North Korea has also warned that the THAAD system will spark a retaliation.
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