North Korea threatens to attack US with nuclear weapons 'if forced to do so'

North Korea has threatened to attack the United States with nuclear weapons if the nation "forced it to do so."

In a rare interview to the CNN, Park Yong-Chol, the deputy director of the North Korean think tank the Institute for Research into National Reunification, sought to remind the U.S. of North Korea's nuclear capability and warned that its long-range missiles could reach American mainland, reported The Independent.

The interview was conducted on the condition that two portraits of former leaders Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il were visible behind Park during filming.

North Korea has threatened to carry out nuclear attacks on the U.S. several times in the past and declared that it was ready to launch nuclear missiles at the nation "anytime.