North Korea has said it will continue strengthening and expanding its nuclear forces, citing what it describes as growing military pressure from the United States and its allies. Vice Defence Minister Kim Kang Il made the remarks at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum in China.
Kim said North Korea considers its status as a nuclear weapons state irreversible and described its nuclear capabilities as a defensive deterrent. He also criticised growing security cooperation between the United States, South Korea and Japan, saying it justified Pyongyang’s continued nuclear expansion.
The latest statement comes amid continued military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has rejected calls for denuclearisation, while the United States, South Korea and Japan continue security cooperation aimed at countering Pyongyang’s weapons programme.