North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called on North Korea to build up its nuclear potential "at an ever-increasing speed" and said that the "bloody situation" in the Middle East makes his nuclear push "the most correct and only way" to protect the country, state media reported, writes UNN citing Bloomberg.
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"Reality once again proves the justice of all our political choices and the path we have taken," the North Korean leader said during a three-day meeting of the politburo of the ruling Workers' Party, which ended on Monday, KCNA reported.
Kim criticized the "indiscriminate and arbitrary practices" of the United States and said that regional rival Japan "is using the current alarming circumstances as an opportunity to get rid of all the shackles that limit its moves toward turning into a military state."
North Korea is estimated to have about 60 nuclear warheads and enough fissile material to produce at least 30 more, according to the latest report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Kim's remarks came amid talks between the United States and Iran on a permanent peace agreement after the signing of a memorandum of understanding last week to end the conflict. The Trump administration seeks to introduce guarantees to ensure that Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, although skepticism about any breakthrough in nuclear inspections still exists.
Participants in the North Korean party meeting unanimously recognized that "the thorough implementation of the position of a nuclear weapons state is the most correct and unique way to actively and confidently cope with the unpredictable international military-political situation, which is complicated in many ways," KCNA reported.
Kim unveiled plans to expand the country's defense capabilities, including the construction of a 10,000-ton strategic missile cruiser and new naval bases, the report said.
Last week, South Korean President Lee Jae-myung sought help from U.S. President Donald Trump in engaging with North Korea when they met at the Group of Seven summit in France, which South Korea joined as an invited country. Lee warned that North Korea can now produce nuclear material at a rate that would allow it to add up to 20 nuclear weapons per year.
Trump held talks with Kim three times during his first presidency, but those meetings failed to persuade the North Korean leader to give up his nuclear ambitions. Since then, Kim has become a key ally of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in his war against Ukraine, accelerating arms buildup and avoiding Seoul's efforts to improve ties.
"After assessing the position and role of more advanced nuclear technologies in the prospective development of our war deterrence means, the final speech emphasized that based on nuclear technologies, more large-scale, innovative, and promising plans will be implemented with increasing speed," the KCNA report said.
DPRK declares the issue of its nuclear disarmament permanently closed14.06.26, 06:32