Kim Jong Un has urged a rapid nuclear buildup, condemning U.S.-South Korea military drills as war provocations despite Seoul and Washington insisting they are defensive.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a rapid expansion of the country’s nuclear arsenal, describing ongoing U.S.-South Korea military exercises as “an obvious expression of their will to provoke war,” state media KCNA reported on Tuesday.
The annual Ulchi Freedom Shield drills, which began this week, involve 11 days of training to strengthen joint readiness against North Korea’s nuclear threats. South Korea’s military said the 2025 edition mirrors last year’s scale, though 20 of the 40 field training events have been postponed until September as President Lee Jae Myung seeks to ease regional tensions. Washington and Seoul insist the exercises are defensive, but Pyongyang routinely denounces them as invasion rehearsals.
During a visit to a navy destroyer, Kim said the security situation demanded the North “rapidly expand” its nuclear armament, claiming the exercises contained a “nuclear element.” Analysts warn his remarks reinforce North Korea’s refusal to consider denuclearization.
“Through this move, North Korea is demonstrating its refusal to accept denuclearization and the will to irreversibly upgrade nuclear weapons,” said Hong Min of the Korea Institute for National Unification.
The drills come ahead of a planned Washington summit between President Donald Trump and President Lee, where North Korea’s nuclear program is expected to dominate discussions.
A 2024 Federation of American Scientists report estimated Pyongyang has enough fissile material for up to 90 warheads, though likely assembled closer to 50. KCNA also said North Korea will build a third 5,000-ton destroyer by October 2026.