North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un says the country will “exercise its position as a nuclear state,” according to a report carried by KCNA and echoed by multiple outlets. In his remarks, Kim argues that “unimaginable, astonishing incidents and events” are taking place because of the actions of “hegemonic forces,” which he describes as “gangster-like” and driven by greed. He also links heightened risks to security developments on the Korean Peninsula.
Kim accuses the United States and South Korea of making the security situation on the peninsula more dangerous. He says this occurs as they steadily upgrade their combined nuclear posture. The report frames Kim’s comments as justification for North Korea’s nuclear stance, while it does not provide new details on specific North Korean measures or timing beyond reaffirming the country’s role as a nuclear power.
