North Korea tells U.N. that now it has 'effective war deterrent' it will focus on economy

FILE PHOTO: North Korean ambassador to the United Nations Kim Song speaks during a news conference in New York, U.S., October 7, 2019. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

NEW YORK (Reuters) - North Korea has a "reliable and effective war deterrent for self-defence" and will now focus on developing its economy, North Korea's U.N. Ambassador Kim Song said on Tuesday, though he acknowledged that international sanctions were a hindrance.

Addressing the U.N. General Assembly, Kim also said the "anti-epidemic situation in our country is now under safe and stable control" as a result of measures taken to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus. North Korea has said it has no confirmed cases, though some U.S. officials have cast doubt on that claim.