North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has condemned growing military cooperation between the United States, Japan, and South Korea, calling it a threat to regional stability, and vowed that Pyongyang will take countermeasures, including further nuclear development.
North Korean state media KCNA said on Sunday that Kim accused the deployment of US nuclear assets and joint military exercises of disrupting regional balance and presenting a serious challenge to security.
The DPRK does not pursue any unnecessary tensions, but we will maintain countermeasures on a continuous basis to keep military balance in the region, declared Kim, speaking Saturday during a visit to North Korea’s Ministry of Defense in connection with the founding anniversary of its army.
Kim underscored his country’s commitment to building up its nuclear arsenal, even as recent diplomacy from Washington seems to shift against him. He was speaking one day after President Donald Trump met with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and warned that North Korea will never be allowed to have a nuclear missile.
On international affairs, Kim said North Korea still remains for Russia against Ukraine as part of its “unwavering” support amid the ongoing war. He also mentioned the comprehensive strategic partnership between Pyongyang and Moscow. It has come in the aftermath of South Korea’s report last month saying Pyongyang has sent about 11,000 troops to aid Russia.
State media in North Korea separately published a warning against South Korea and the US, sharply condemning their intensification of military exercises. KCNA said these moves could result in “undesirable consequences,” especially taking into account the political instability affecting diplomatic moves.
While tensions are building in the region, Kim’s statements highlight that North Korea remains unyielding to add its military assets while defaming the trilateral alliance as forces that are gaining a stronger foothold.