North Korea shows off tactical nuclear weapons for the first time

North Korea on Tuesday provided evidence for the first time that it possesses tactical nuclear weapons that it says could be placed on short-range missiles to hit targets in South Korea.

The state-owned Korean Central News Agency published photos of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un speaking with military officials on Monday as they stood by the purported weapons. 

North Korea has long claimed to have tactical nuclear weapons, but Tuesday is the first time the communist country has presented any proof of it, the BBC reported.

It is unclear whether the photos actually show nuclear-capable weapons or phony mock-ups, as North Korea would have to test one of the weapons for the world to know for sure.

Kim on Tuesday said "that it was a catastrophe itself and that the party's line to build nuclear forces was thoroughly aimed at safeguarding the country's long-term safety and regional peace and stability," KCNA reported, as translated.