North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has intensified his call for a "limitless" expansion of his country's military nuclear capabilities. In a conference with army officials on Friday, Kim criticized the United States for updating its nuclear deterrence strategies with South Korea and shoring up its military collaboration with South Korea and Japan, dubbing their alliance an "Asian NATO" that escalates regional tensions and instability. Kim further accused the US of employing Ukrainians as "shock troops" to fight against Russia and expand the US' military footprint, according to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency.
Kim has been fortifying North Korea's relationship with Russia amidst what he perceives as a "new Cold War." Despite speculation over North Korea supplying military support to Russia, Kim has not confirmed such actions. Kim's remarks mark his first direct critique of the US since Donald Trump's recent win in the US presidential election; state media in North Korea has yet to report on the election outcome.
The prospect of revived diplomacy between Kim and Trump, as witnessed in their 2018-2019 summits, remains uncertain given shifts in the regional security landscape and global dynamics. North Korea's nuclear issue now intertwines with broader geopolitical challenges, particularly Russia's war on Ukraine. With North Korea's capabilities more advanced, Kim may believe he has increased leverage. Additionally, concerns loom that any increase in US-China trade tensions could cause North Korea to more forcefully counter Washington in support of its economic partner. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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