North Korea defends expansion of nuclear arsenal

North Korea’s vice‑defence minister Kim Kang Il told participants at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum that the country’s decision to strengthen and expand its nuclear forces is a response to what he described as a “US‑led military buildup” and growing security cooperation among the United States, South Korea and Japan. He said the “ceaseless nuclear arms buildup of the enemy states fully justifies the building of a solid nuclear shield of the DPRK.”

Kim added that the perceived “extreme level” of nuclear threat from the United States and its allies compels the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to “ceaselessly expand and strengthen its self‑defensive nuclear deterrent” in order to protect peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the broader region. He characterized the United States’ policy toward North Korea as “invariable” and hostile, accusing Washington of turning its trilateral cooperation with Seoul and Tokyo into a “nuclear alliance.”

The official statement reiterated that North Korea’s constitutional status as a nuclear‑armed state is “the line of no retreat.” Kim urged other countries to abandon what he called the “day‑dream” of denuclearisation, implying that any such efforts would be futile in the face of the alleged security environment.

The remarks were made amid ongoing diplomatic and military interactions among the United States, South Korea and Japan, which have included joint exercises and discussions on regional security. North Korea has repeatedly framed these activities as justification for its own weapons development programmes.

No immediate response from the United States, South Korea or Japan was reported at the time of the statements.