Kim Jong Un calls for strengthening North Korea’s nuclear forces

ISTANBUL

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un urged the country to enhance its nuclear capabilities without limits and finalize war preparations, citing increased military confrontations from adversaries, state media reported Monday.

Kim made the statement during the 4th Conference of Battalion Commanders and Political Instructors of the Korean People's Army last Friday in the capital Pyongyang, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

It marked the first such gathering in a decade.

Kim emphasized the need for North Korea to strengthen its nuclear forces as part of efforts to deter war. He called on military officials to prioritize readiness, saying the country would continue developing its self-defense capabilities without restrictions.

He also criticized the growing cooperation between South Korea, the US and Japan, describing it as a key threat to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Kim said the US-led military alliance is expanding its reach across Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

Additionally, he accused the US and its allies of using Ukraine as a proxy to wage war against Russia, aiming to extend Washington's global military influence, according to KCNA.

However, Kim did not address allegations of North Korea deploying troops to support Russia's conflict in Ukraine.

His remarks came as the leaders of South Korea, the US and Japan met during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Peru, where they condemned North Korea's growing military ties with Russia.

South Korea and the US confirmed that North Korean soldiers have participated in combat against Ukrainian forces in Russia's western Kursk region.