"Kim Jong Un reaffirmed the consistent policy stance to accelerate the strengthening of national defense capabilities", North Korea's KCNA news agency reported on 23/6, citing the country's leader.

KCNA further quoted Kim Jong Un as stating that the United States and South Korea are pushing for Seoul to acquire nuclear submarines and are increasingly open about their moves to strengthen and modernize armed forces in the region.

Given these developments, Kim asserted North Korea's firm stance to accelerate efforts to further expand and enhance its deterrence capabilities "for self-defense".

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un with officials inspecting an ammunition factory at an undisclosed location on 11/5. *Photo: KCNA*

Regarding its nuclear arsenal, KCNA reported that a plenary meeting of the Workers' Party of Korea unanimously recognized the country's nuclear status as "the correct and only way to proactively and confidently deal with the unpredictable international military and political situation".

Kim Yo Jong, head of the Workers' Party of Korea General Affairs Department and Kim's sister, previously declared that the country's status as a nuclear-armed nation is "not negotiable".

North Korea has consistently asserted its right to possess nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs, despite these activities being prohibited under United Nations Security Council sanctions. In 2023, Pyongyang enshrined its nuclear state status in its constitution.

By Ngoc Anh (According to AFP, Reuters, Yonhap)