North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said his country will keep expanding and strengthening its nuclear capabilities, calling that the “right and only solution” to the security and political challenges facing the world. The remarks were reported by the state news agency KCNA and were made during a meeting of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party.
Kim accused the United States of worsening global tensions and said Washington and Seoul are deepening their nuclear cooperation in order to target North Korea. He argued that strengthening nuclear power and cementing North Korea’s status as a nuclear weapons state is the way to respond to the changing security environment.
At the same time, Kim ordered an acceleration of conventional military development and pushed forward construction of a 10,000-ton strategic guided-missile cruiser. Officials cited in the report said the statement again shows Pyongyang’s position that nuclear disarmament talks are not on the table.
The message comes as North Korea continues to frame its weapons program as essential to deterrence, while directly linking its buildup to what it portrays as hostile actions by the United States and South Korea.
