North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has accused the United States of escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula, claiming that the region is now facing the greatest threat of nuclear war in history. Kim made the remarks during a speech at a military exhibition in Pyongyang, the North Korean capital, following international criticism of growing military ties between North Korea and Russia.
Kim’s comments came amid reports of increasing military cooperation between Pyongyang and Moscow, including allegations that North Korea sent over 10,000 troops to Russia to support its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. North Korea’s state media, KCNA, cited Kim’s condemnation of US policies, which he described as “aggressive and hostile.” The leader also stated that previous negotiations with Washington had only underscored the unchanging nature of the US stance toward North Korea, fueling further tensions.
Kim emphasized that the Korean peninsula is now at its most perilous point, where conflict could escalate into a devastating thermonuclear war. He also asserted that North Korea has already exhausted all avenues for diplomatic talks with the US, indicating that the gap between Washington’s demands for denuclearization and Pyongyang’s insistence on sanctions relief has made further negotiations impossible.
While North Korean state media has not specifically mentioned Donald Trump’s re-election, experts suggest that Kim may be trying to highlight North Korea’s nuclear capabilities ahead of Trump’s potential second term. Hong Min, a researcher at the Korea Institute for National Unification, speculated that Kim could be signaling to Trump that any renewed talks would require a shift in US policy towards co-existence, in contrast to the current “hostile attitude.”
At the Defense Development Exhibition, Kim also called for the continued development of “ultra-modern” weapons to strengthen North Korea’s defense capabilities. The event showcased a variety of strategic and tactical weapons, including the Hwasong-19 and Hwasong-18 intercontinental ballistic missiles, the Chollima-1 rocket used for a satellite launch, and the Saetbyol-9 drone, which resembles the US Reaper drone.
Images from the exhibition revealed several weapons that may have been supplied to Russia to aid in its war in Ukraine. These included 240mm multiple rocket launchers, self-propelled howitzers, anti-tank systems, and drones. The South Korean intelligence agency also reported that North Korea has been sending additional arms to Russia, further solidifying the military alliance between the two nations.
Kim’s remarks and the display of advanced weaponry come after increasing concerns about the US and its allies stoking tensions in the region. Last week, Kim described the Korean peninsula as “the world’s biggest hotspot” and called for further improvements in North Korea’s warfighting capabilities to counter what he perceives as growing hostility from the West.
