North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country would continue developing long-range nuclear strike capabilities in 2017, while apologizing for failing to achieve certain goals in 2016, a video recording of his New Year’s Day speech showed on Sunday.

Pyongyang will reach the final preparation stages for test-firing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), Kim said, notable because North Korea has historically suggested its long-range rocket launches are intended solely for satellite launch purposes.

“The project of test-firing an intercontinental ballistic rocket enters into the final stage, which is included in [the country’s achievement],” Kim said.

The statement follows remarks by high-profile North Korean diplomatic defector Thae