Pyongyang, 23 June (H.S.): North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has reaffirmed that the country will continue to exercise its status as a nuclear weapons state, describing it as the most effective way to respond to an increasingly unpredictable and complex global security environment. His remarks were reported on Tuesday by North Korea's state media following a meeting of the Central Committee of the ruling Workers' Party.

Speaking during the party meeting held on Monday, Kim said the rapidly changing international security landscape requires North Korea to further strengthen its military capabilities. He maintained that preserving and enhancing the country's nuclear deterrent is essential to protecting its sovereignty and national security.

Kim accused what he described as hegemonic forces, particularly the United States, of fuelling conflicts in different regions of the world. He also criticised the United States and South Korea for expanding their joint military and nuclear deterrence measures, claiming that such actions have heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula.

The North Korean leader reiterated that his government would continue to strengthen both its nuclear and conventional military capabilities to address evolving security challenges. Although no new nuclear test or missile launch was announced, Kim instructed the country's military to accelerate defence modernisation and speed up key strategic projects, including the construction of a 10,000-ton guided missile cruiser.

North Korea has consistently maintained that its nuclear weapons programme is intended for self-defence and has repeatedly rejected international calls for denuclearisation. The country remains under multiple United Nations sanctions over its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, while diplomatic efforts to revive denuclearisation talks have remained stalled in recent years.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar