North Korea vice defense minister says US arms buildup justifies expanding nuclear force

North Korea defends its nuclear arsenal expansion, citing the military build-up led by the US as justification. The nation sees the growing defense alliance among the US, South Korea, and Japan as a direct threat, affirming its irreversible nuclear status. This declaration follows intense trilateral military exercises and recent missile tests, with Pyongyang firmly rejecting any requests for denuclearization, emphasizing its need for self-defense.

North Korea’s Vice ​Defense Minister Kim Kang Il said on Thursday that ‌a ‌US ​arms ‌buildup ⁠justified the ​country’s efforts to ⁠strengthen its nuclear forces and ⁠that Pyongyang would ‌continue expanding ‌its ​defensive ‌nuclear deterrent. Speaking ‌at China’s Xiangshan security forum, Kim ‌said North Korea would press ⁠ahead ⁠with measures to bolster its self-defensive nuclear deterrent capability.