Kim Jong-un. Photo: STR / AFP
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said that the risk of nuclear war on the Korean peninsula has reached an unprecedented level. In a speech at a military exhibition in Pyongyang, he accused the United States of escalating tensions and pursuing an “aggressive and hostile policy” towards the DPRK. This was reported by the state-run KCNA news agency.
“Never before have the warring parties on the Korean Peninsula faced such a dangerous and acute confrontation that could escalate into the most destructive thermonuclear war,” Kim said.
He added that previous attempts to negotiate with Washington, particularly during the presidency of Donald Trump, had failed. According to him, the US remains committed to “power dominance” and is not ready for mutual cooperation.
During Trump’s first presidential term, he and Kim held three unprecedented meetings in 2018-2019. However, disagreements between US demands for the DPRK to abandon nuclear weapons and Pyongyang’s insistence on easing sanctions blocked further progress.
Kim Jong-un also stated the need to continue modernising the DPRK’s weapons to strengthen the country’s strategic position. The exhibition, called the Defence Development Exhibition, showcased the latest strategic and tactical weapons.
Kim’s speech came amid growing international concern over the deepening military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. The DPRK has reportedly sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia to support its war against Ukraine.
Kim also accused the United States and its allies of turning the Korean Peninsula into the “hottest spot in the world”. He called on the North Korean army to strengthen its combat capabilities to counter the “external threat”.
