North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has been quoted as saying in a New Year's
 message that his country's development of banned intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) is in "final stages".
"Research and development of cutting-edge arms equipment is actively
 progressing and ICBM rocket test launch preparation is in its last stage," 
Kim said on Sunday.
North Korea tested ballistic missiles at an unprecedented rate during 2016,
 although some experts have said it is years away from developing an ICBM
 fitted with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the United States.
The country has been under UN sanctions since 2006 over its nuclear and
 ballistic missile tests. The sanctions were tightened last month after Pyongyang conducted its fifth and largest nuclear test on September 9.
In February, North Korea launched a satellite into space, which was widely 
seen as a test of long-range ballistic missile technology.
A senior US military official said last month that North Korea appears able 
to mount a miniaturised nuclear warhead on a missile but is still struggling 
with missile re-entry technology necessary for longer range strikes.