North Korea is reportedly planning to increase its stockpile of nuclear weapons in response to perceived threats from the US and its allies. In a speech on Tuesday commemorating the 76th anniversary of North Korea’s founding, the country’s leader, Kim Jong-un, emphasized the need for enhancing Pyongyang’s defense capabilities due to what he referred to as “the reckless expansion of the military bloc system led by the US.
Kim highlighted that his government is focused on perfecting the nation’s nuclear force and ensuring its capability to be used for self-defense. He stated, “The obvious conclusion is that the nuclear force of [North Korea] and the capability to properly use it for ensuring the state’s right to security in any time should be more thoroughly perfected.” To achieve this goal, Kim announced that North Korea is “increasing the number of nuclear weapons by geometrical progression,” signaling a potential acceleration in their weapons production.
Furthermore, he asserted that his country will redouble its measures and efforts to make all its armed forces, including the nuclear force, fully prepared for combat. However, Kim assured that North Korea is “a responsible nuclear weapons state” intending to use its atomic arsenal only for self-defense purposes.
This announcement comes after North Korea accused the US, Japan, and South Korea of forming an alliance in Asia that resembles NATO, with the nation criticizing what it called the West’s “reckless and provocative military muscle-flexing.” In June, Pyongyang condemned the regular joint military exercises conducted by the US and its allies around the Korean Peninsula, which North Korea perceives as preparations for a potential invasion.
In this context, North Korea has frequently conducted missile launch tests, such as the one in July when it claimed to have tested a new tactical ballistic missile called the Hwasongpho-11Da-4.5, capable of carrying a 4.5-ton super-sized warhead and able to hit targets at a distance of approximately 300 miles (500 km.
Currently, North Korea is estimated to possess around 50 nuclear warheads. In 2022, the nation amended its constitution to declare that it has the right to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike for self-protection. Kim Jong-un stated at the time that this move would make Pyongyang’s nuclear status “irreversible.