Kim condemns US-South Korea military drills, pledges to expand nuclear arsenal

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un called U.S.-South Korea joint drills an “obvious expression of their will to provoke war” and pledged to expand his nuclear arsenal to counter his nation’s adversaries, as reported by state media. Kim’s vow came as he inspected his most advanced military ship that will be equipped with nuclear-capable systems at a western port.

Joint US-South Korea drills ongoing

South Korean and U.S. forces are currently performing yearly large-scale exercises. The joint drills, dubbed Ulchi Freedom Shield, feature 21,000 troops, including 18,000 from South Korea, and use computer-simulated operations and field training. 

Pyongyang has long called the drills provocative and invasion rehearsals. Kim has used this argument to build up his nuclear arsenal and perform military tests in the region.

The U.S. and South Korea contend the annual drills serve defensive purposes, not to provoke.

Kim condemns drills

Kim condemned the drills and said they were a “clear expression of… their intention to remain most hostile and confrontational,” as reported by KCNA.

He said the rising tensions due to the military exercises require him to “rapidly expand” his nuclear arsenal, claiming the U.S.-South Korea drills employ a “nuclear element.”

High-stakes meeting upcoming

President Donald Trump and new South Korean President Lee Jae Myung are being asked to discuss North Korea’s nuclear ambitions at an upcoming meeting in Washington.

“Through this move, North Korea is demonstrating its refusal to accept denuclearization and the will to irreversibly upgrade nuclear weapons,” Hong Min, a North Korea analyst at the Korea Institute for National Unification, told NBC News.

The Federation of American Scientists reported last year that North Korea may have enough material to produce up to 90 nuclear warheads, but had most likely built closer to 50.

Mixed results with destroyer development

North Korea plans to construct its third 5,000-ton destroyer by fall 2026, and is currently testing cruise and anti-air missiles for the vessels.

As Straight Arrow News reported, Pyongyang showcased a second destroyer of the same class earlier this year, which was damaged after it was improperly launched. 

Kim described the mishap as “criminal” and has called for the discipline of crew members who he said are responsible for the international embarrassment. The ship was relaunched in June following repairs, but some analysts are skeptical as to whether the destroyer is truly combat-ready.