(CBS) North Korean three-star General Ri Chan Bok tells correspondent Dan Rather that if the U.S. invades his country, he will use nuclear weapons to defend it.

Rather spoke to the general during a recent visit to the reclusive Communist dictatorship for a 60 Minutes report airing this Sunday, Jan. 15, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

“Tell the American people that you met the general. If the United States invades our country and starts a war, the People’s Army will fight to the death and defend ourselves, taking appropriate revenge,” says Gen. Bok.

Does the general think that the United States might attack North Korea? “We firmly believe that the United States will carry out its policies on our country, even if they have to use military means,” Gen. Bok tells Rather. “What we can say to you definitely right now is that we currently have nuclear weapons,” he threatens.

Bok wouldn’t show 60 Minutes cameras any of his missiles, but did show Rather his troops at the border with South Korea. There are more than 30,000 American forces on the other side. The general said that the Americans and their South Korean allies have stepped up military and propaganda exercises recently. He said it’s because of what he calls the “neo-conservatives” in the Bush administration.

“[Neo-conservatives] are people who want to dominate the world, just like the Nazis of Germany. After striking Iraq they want North Korea,” says Bok.

The U.S. State Department refused to discuss North Korea with 60 Minutes.