Pyongyang’s nuclear arsenal provides leverage against American “terrorism and aggression,” the nation’s leader has said
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said the country can pose a credible nuclear threat to the US as opposed to being a target for American attempts to project power.
Speaking during a policy address to newly elected lawmakers on Monday, Kim emphasized the role of nuclear weapons in ensuring national security.
He accused Washington of carrying out “state terror and aggression” globally, arguing that such actions justify Pyongyang’s concerns about the US military presence in the region, including deployments involving nuclear-capable assets. According to Kim, North Korea’s nuclear arsenal provides a strong safeguard against potential attacks.
“Our nation is no longer a country under threat,” he said. “We possess the power to pose a threat if necessary.”
North Korea withdrew from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 2003 to pursue its weapons program. It has since developed nuclear warheads and ballistic missiles believed to be capable of reaching the US mainland, among other potential targets. Despite international sanctions and proposals offering economic incentives for denuclearization – often referred to as the ‘Libyan model’ – Pyongyang has continued its efforts.
Kim argued that the nuclear program has delivered benefits beyond defense, claiming it has supported scientific progress and economic development. He said “hostile forces claiming that there would be no prosperity without nuclear disarmament” were proven wrong.
He reiterated that North Korea will not give up its nuclear weapons and vowed to oppose any efforts to challenge its status. In particular, he rejected denuclearization proposals from South Korea, which he described as “the most hostile state.”
The office of South Korean President Lee Jae-myung said Kim’s comments undermined efforts toward peaceful coexistence.
