Kim Jong-un has warned of a “rapid expansion of nuclearization,” accusing U.S.-South Korea military drills of fueling instability and pushing North Korea to escalate its arsenal.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has issued a stark warning, calling for the “rapid expansion of nuclearization” in response to what he described as increasing hostility from the United States and South Korea.
Kim made the remarks while inspecting the Choe Hyon-class destroyer, a new North Korean warship, according to the state-run Pyongyang Times. He expressed satisfaction with progress on nuclear-arming the navy, describing it as “the most important state affair” in strengthening national defense.
“The security environment around the DPRK is getting more serious day by day and the prevailing situation requires us to make a radical and swift change in the existing military theory and practice and rapid expansion of nuclearization,” Kim was quoted as saying.
He also condemned the ongoing U.S.-South Korea military exercises, labeling them “the most obvious manifestation of their will to ignite a war and the source of destroying the peace and security environment in the region.”
Kim’s comments mark his most direct nuclear threat in recent months, amid rising global conflicts.