North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that his country must accelerate the expansion of its nuclear weapons program, denouncing joint U.S.-South Korea military exercises as “a blatant expression of their intention to provoke war,” according to state media reports. His comments came as the allies launched their latest round of annual defense drills.
👉 YouTube
The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, which will run for 11 days, are designed to strengthen readiness against potential North Korean threats. While Washington and Seoul insist the drills are defensive in nature, Pyongyang has long condemned them as invasion rehearsals and often retaliates with weapons tests. This year’s maneuvers are similar in scale to 2024, though half of the planned field training events were postponed to September in an effort by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to lower tensions—an initiative analysts doubt will sway Pyongyang.
👉 Website
During a naval inspection on Monday, Kim said the drills highlighted the “most hostile and confrontational” stance of the U.S. and South Korea. He argued that the regional security situation left North Korea with no choice but to “rapidly expand” its nuclear arsenal, especially given what he described as the “nuclear element” in the ongoing exercises.
👉 Twitter / X
Independent assessments suggest that while North Korea may have the capacity to produce fissile material for up to 90 nuclear warheads, it has likely assembled closer to 50. Despite this, Kim is pressing forward with ambitious military modernization, including the construction of a third 5,000-tonne Choe Hyon-class destroyer by October next year. North Korea is also testing cruise and anti-air missiles to equip its growing naval fleet.
👉 Instagram
