North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has demanded the rapid expansion of his country’s nuclear weapons capability, saying ongoing U.S.-South Korea joint military drills could trigger a war.
According to North Korea’s official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), Kim called the intensified military cooperation between Washington and Seoul “the most obvious manifestation of their will to ignite a war.” He said the situation required a “radical and swift change” in North Korea’s military strategy and a “rapid expansion of nuclearisation.”
Kim made the remarks during a visit on August 18 to the naval destroyer Choe Hyon at Nampo port. The warship, a 5,000-ton-class destroyer first unveiled in April, is part of North Korea’s new naval program.
KCNA reported that Kim was satisfied with progress on plans to make the navy “high-tech and nuclear-armed,” with an evaluation set for October. He added that the navy must become a force that plays a full role within the country’s state nuclear forces.
During the inspection, Kim said the joint U.S.-South Korean military exercises were growing more provocative by adding what he described as a “nuclear element.” He claimed this showed hostility and required North Korea to respond with “proactive and overwhelming” countermeasures.
His comments came as the allies began their annual Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise on Monday. The 11-day drills involve 21,000 troops, including 18,000 South Koreans, with live-fire training, computer-simulated command operations, and field exercises. A U.S. Army statement described them as “defense-oriented.”
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has pledged to respect North Korea’s system and build “military trust.” Since taking office in June, he has called for talks without preconditions. But last week, Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea’s leader, said the North had “no will to improve relations” and denied reports of removing propaganda loudspeakers near the border.
A spokesperson for President Lee said Seoul has always regarded the Ulchi exercises as defensive. South Korea’s Defense Ministry said it had no new assessments to share about the North’s destroyer.
The allies say the current drills aim to counter North Korea’s advancing nuclear and missile programs. They also include training to deter nuclear use, respond to missile attacks, and lessons from recent conflicts, including Russia’s war in Ukraine and the confrontation between Israel and Iran. Scenarios will address emerging threats such as drones, GPS jamming, and cyberattacks.
North Korea has long condemned such joint exercises as rehearsals for invasion. Kim has repeatedly used them to justify weapons tests and military displays.
The Choe Hyon is North Korea’s most advanced surface vessel to date. Although described as a destroyer, analysts classify it as closer to a heavily armed frigate. It reportedly carries 74 vertical launch system (VLS) cells of various sizes, racks for cruise missiles, and a Pantsir-ME short-range air defense system. Analysts believe its design is based on a stretched version of Russia’s Admiral Grigorovich-class frigate.
The second vessel in the series suffered damage during a failed side-launch attempt and is now under repair. A third ship is under construction, with workers at Nampho Shipyard pledging to complete it in 14 months, according to North Korean state media.
References: apnews, firstpost