news N.K. leader pledges to strengthen 'nuclear war deterrent' as party congress closes (ATTN: UPDATES with KCNA's English-language report in paras 3-5, 7; ADDS 2nd photo) By Choi Soo-hyang SEOUL, Jan. 13 (Yonhap) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong-un called for strengthening the country's nuclear capabilities as he addressed the final-day session of the ruling party's rare congress, state media said Wednesday. North Korea on Tuesday wrapped up the eighth congress of the Workers' Party, which had been held for more than a week since its opening on Jan. 5, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "We must further strengthen the nuclear war deterrent while doing our best to build up the most powerful military strength," Kim said. "We must continue to give fresh spur to making the People's Army elite and powerful armed forces, so that it is thoroughly prepared to fulfill its mission and role as the driving force of national defense in the face of any form of threat and emergency."