N.Korea cancels visit by UN chief, claims nuclear breakthrough

North Korea said May 20 it has the technology to make nuclear missile warheads, less than two weeks after announcing it had launched a ballistic missile from a submarine.

It also cancelled a visit by UN chief Ban Ki-moon, a day after he accused it of fuelling regional tensions.
 
"It has been a long time since we began miniaturising and diversifying our means of nuclear strike," Pyongyang's powerful National Defence Commission (NDC) said in a statement on the official news agency.
 
"We have also reached the stage where the highest accuracy rate is guaranteed, not only for short- and medium-range missiles but long-range missiles as well."  

Earlier this month the North claimed it successfully test-fired a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), a development which -- if confirmed -- would allow the deployment of nuclear weapons far beyond the Korean peninsula.     Ban May 19 had urged the North to avoid any actions that could escalate military tensions.
 
A day later, he announced that Pyongyang had cancelled his invitation to visit the Kaesong industrial zone inside the North this week.
 
"No explanation was given for this last-minute change," the UN chief, a former foreign minister of South Korea, told a forum in Seoul.
 
"This decision by Pyongyang is deeply regrettable," Ban said.
 
"However, I as the secretary-general of the United Nations, will not spare any efforts to encourage the DPRK (North Korea) to work with the international community for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula and beyond."  

The NDC, which is chaired by leader Kim Jong-Un, said the SLBM test "represents a higher stage in our efforts to develop strategic striking forces" as part of...