N. Korea demands US recognise it as 'legitimate' nuclear-armed state

A defiant North Korea Sunday restated its demand for recognition as a "legitimate" nuclear-armed state, as world powers pondered ways to punish Pyongyang for its latest and largest atomic test. The North also vowed to increase its nuclear strike force "in quality and in quantity", two days after its fifth test in a decade sparked international condemnation and moves for tougher UN sanctions. North Korea insists that its missile and nuclear tests are necessary to counter what it says is a US nucl