North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has pledged to continue developing the country’s nuclear weapons program and enhance its nuclear capabilities.
He made these comments on Monday during a state event commemorating the 76th anniversary of North Korea’s founding.
“The obvious conclusion is that the nuclear force of the DPRK and the posture capable of properly using it for ensuring the state’s right to security in any time should be more thoroughly perfected,” the dictator said.
“DPRK” is an abbreviation for North Korea’s official name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Kim Jong Un warned that the United States’ increased presence in the region has compelled North Korea to strengthen its nuclear deterrent.
“The DPRK will steadily strengthen its nuclear force capable of fully coping with any threatening acts imposed by its nuclear-armed rival states and redouble its measures and efforts to make all the armed forces of the state, including the nuclear force, fully ready for combat,” the supreme leader said.
North Korea has been seeking to both bolster its self-defense capabilities and strengthen its regional alliances against the United States.
The 14th Supreme People’s Assembly, North Korea’s unicameral legislative body, passed legislation last year to officially enshrine nuclear weaponization as a fundamental principle.
Kim Jong Un met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in June, reaffirming the two countries’ shared history and commitment to mutual defense support.
Li Hongzhong, a high-ranking official within the Chinese Communist Party, traveled to North Korea in July for a similar goodwill visit.
The increasing cooperation between Russia, China, and North Korea against Western interests has made their alliance a significant concern for U.S. and NATO officials.