North Korea issues 'merciless offensive' nuclear threat

North Korea threatens nuclear retaliation if provoked through sanctions or other means, citing its ability to defend itself with nukes or to go on a 'merciless offensive.'

In the latest challenge to regional and global stability, North Korea's leadership promised a nuclear exchange if pushed through sanctions or other provocations. Citing its ability to utilize a 'merciless offensive' against its neighbors, the reclusive communist state raised the stakes in its unforgiving position against the international community. Having sentenced two U.S. journalists to 12 years of hard labor in a likely bargain-chip move, North Korea has been demonstrating an increasing instability following its recent nuclear detonation test. "Our nuclear deterrent will be a strong defensive means...as well as a merciless offensive means to deal a just retaliatory strike to those who touch the country's dignity and sovereignty even a bit," said the commentary, carried by the official Korean Central News Agency - in a report filed by The Associated Press. The commentary from Pyongyang appeared to be the first time the communist regime has associated its nuclear arsenal with a military offensive. "Pyongyang has long claimed that its nuclear weapons program is a deterrent and only for self-defense against what it calls US attempts to invade it," AP reported. North Korea's latest stance comes amid U.S., Japanese, and South Korean attempts to impose tougher sanctions through the U.N.'s Security Council. Additionally, South Korea has doubled the number of naval ships in a disputed sea border with North Korea. North Korea's nuclear arsenal can easily reach cities in South Korea and Japan.