DPRK mocks US show of force as bluff

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) on Wednesday mocked at the United States show of force, saying Washington was "bluffing" and "blustering" with the flyover of B-1 bombers, a day after two US supersonic B-1 Lancer strategic bombers flew over South Korea in a show of force and solidarity with its ally amid heightened tension following DPRK's fifth nuclear test.

"They are bluffing that B-1Bs are enough for fighting an all-out nuclear war," the CNN quoted a statement from Pyongyang's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

DPRK set off its most powerful nuclear blast on September 9, after which it claimed to have mastered the ability to mount a warhead on a ballistic missile, a possibility that increases fears for US allies in the region and also poses a threat to US bases in South Korea, Japan and Guam.

A US intelligence official said DPRK is the only country in the world that threatens others with a nuclear attack, and that Pyongyang shows no signs of backing off its nuclear program

DPRK also countered Wednesday that it was the US that was inflaming tensions.

"The US imperialists keep letting their nuclear strategic bombers fly over South Korea in a bid to seek an opportunity of mounting a preemptive nuclear attack," said the KCNA statement.

North Korea's military was prepared to stop any US moves, it said, with a closing warning to Washington.

"They had better stop their rash actions," the statement added.