North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the country’s nuclear arsenal, declaring that continuously strengthening nuclear forces and fully exercising North Korea’s status as a nuclear-armed state is the “most accurate and only path” for confronting an increasingly unpredictable international security environment.
According to North Korea’s ruling Workers’ Party newspaper Rodong Sinmun on Monday, Kim made the remarks in concluding remarks delivered during an expanded plenary meeting of the party’s Central Committee held from June 20 to 22.
Kim said North Korea must continue to expand and strengthen its nuclear forces, which he described as the core of the country’s military sovereignty and the centerpiece of its war deterrence and combat strategy.
Reaffirms Hostile Stance Toward U.S. and South Korea
Kim accused the United States and South Korea of intensifying military threats against North Korea through military modernization efforts and joint defense initiatives.
He claimed Washington and Seoul have accelerated military buildups in the region, including efforts by South Korea to acquire nuclear-powered submarines, while continuing military exercises and reconnaissance activities directed at North Korea.
Kim also criticized the bilateral Nuclear Consultative Group (NCG), describing it as a mechanism designed to prepare for a nuclear war against North Korea.
He alleged that the six NCG meetings held to date had produced increasingly detailed nuclear war scenarios covering operational procedures, training and mission planning.
The criticism came less than two weeks after South Korea and the United States held the sixth NCG meeting in Seoul and reaffirmed their shared commitment to North Korea’s denuclearization. The NCG was established under the 2023 Washington Declaration to strengthen extended deterrence cooperation between the allies.
Kim also lashed out at what he described as a U.S.-led international order, accusing Western powers of fueling geopolitical instability, conflict and economic uncertainty.
He argued that developments in global politics validate North Korea’s long-standing policy choices and emphasized the need to further strengthen what he called a reliable self-defense deterrent.
“Our state’s sovereignty and security have been guaranteed by strong power and will continue to be safeguarded in the future,” Kim said.
He additionally reiterated the party’s policy of treating South Korea as its “most hostile state” and stressed the need to maintain a hard-line approach toward Seoul.
10,000-Ton Guided-Missile Cruiser Project Officially Confirmed
One of the notable revelations from the plenary meeting was North Korea’s confirmation of plans to build a 10,000-ton strategic guided-missile cruiser.
Kim instructed officials to accelerate construction of the vessel, which he said is being developed under a military commission decision adopted on April 4.
North Korea first disclosed plans for a 10,000-ton warship earlier this month during Kim’s inspection of the 5,000-ton destroyer Kang Kon. The latest announcement provides additional confirmation that the project has already entered the construction phase.
The North has recently highlighted efforts to modernize its navy, including plans to build two 5,000-ton destroyers annually and develop a nuclear-powered submarine capable of launching nuclear missiles.
Kim also called for continued expansion of advanced defense assets capable of achieving what he described as world-leading military capabilities.
In addition, he ordered the expansion and modernization of defense industrial facilities responsible for producing key military equipment and weapons systems.
The North Korean leader further directed authorities to complete fortification projects along the inter-Korean border and accelerate construction of new naval bases, underscoring the regime’s broader push to strengthen military infrastructure and defense capabilities.