North Korea pledges to increase its nuclear weapons stockpile
North Korea plans to intensify its military and nuclear advancements in response to what Kim Jong-un describes as the "reckless" actions of the West. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
North Korea intends to significantly increase its nuclear arsenal in response to what it perceives as threats from the United States and its allies, according to the nation's leader, Kim Jong-un.
During a speech delivered on the 76th anniversary of the founding of North Korea, Kim highlighted the necessity for Pyongyang to advance its military capabilities due to what he described as the "reckless expansion of the military bloc system led by the US."
Kim articulated that the enhancement of North Korea's nuclear forces and their operational readiness is crucial for safeguarding the nation's security rights at all times. "The obvious conclusion is that the nuclear force of [North Korea] and the capability to properly use it for ensuring the state’s right to security in any time should be more thoroughly perfected," he stated, according to remarks carried by the Korean Central News Agency.
Further emphasizing his point, Kim declared that North Korea is "increasing the number of nuclear weapons by geometrical progression" and is committed to ensuring that its military forces, including nuclear capabilities, are "fully ready for combat."
He also reassured that despite the military advancements, North Korea remains "a responsible nuclear weapons state" which would use its nuclear capabilities solely for defensive purposes.
This announcement follows recent claims by North Korea in June that the US, Japan, and South Korea are establishing an Asian counterpart to NATO, which led to Pyongyang denouncing the Western military activities in the region. The US and its allies continue to engage in joint military drills near the Korean peninsula, which North Korea perceives as preparation for possible aggression.
Amid these tensions, North Korea continues to test missile technology, including the launch of the new Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5 tactical ballistic missile in July, reportedly capable of carrying a substantial 4.5-ton warhead and reaching targets up to 300 miles away.
Currently, North Korea is estimated to have around 50 nuclear warheads. In 2022, the country revised its constitution to include the right to conduct a preemptive nuclear strike for self-defense, a move that Kim said solidifies the irreversible status of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
During a speech delivered on the 76th anniversary of the founding of North Korea, Kim highlighted the necessity for Pyongyang to advance its military capabilities due to what he described as the "reckless expansion of the military bloc system led by the US."
Kim articulated that the enhancement of North Korea's nuclear forces and their operational readiness is crucial for safeguarding the nation's security rights at all times. "The obvious conclusion is that the nuclear force of [North Korea] and the capability to properly use it for ensuring the state’s right to security in any time should be more thoroughly perfected," he stated, according to remarks carried by the Korean Central News Agency.
Further emphasizing his point, Kim declared that North Korea is "increasing the number of nuclear weapons by geometrical progression" and is committed to ensuring that its military forces, including nuclear capabilities, are "fully ready for combat."
He also reassured that despite the military advancements, North Korea remains "a responsible nuclear weapons state" which would use its nuclear capabilities solely for defensive purposes.
This announcement follows recent claims by North Korea in June that the US, Japan, and South Korea are establishing an Asian counterpart to NATO, which led to Pyongyang denouncing the Western military activities in the region. The US and its allies continue to engage in joint military drills near the Korean peninsula, which North Korea perceives as preparation for possible aggression.
Amid these tensions, North Korea continues to test missile technology, including the launch of the new Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5 tactical ballistic missile in July, reportedly capable of carrying a substantial 4.5-ton warhead and reaching targets up to 300 miles away.
Currently, North Korea is estimated to have around 50 nuclear warheads. In 2022, the country revised its constitution to include the right to conduct a preemptive nuclear strike for self-defense, a move that Kim said solidifies the irreversible status of Pyongyang's nuclear capabilities.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
