SEOUL, South Korea — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has declared that the strengthened security partnership between the United States, South Korea, and Japan represents a significant threat to his nation. He asserted intentions to further enhance his country’s nuclear arsenal, as reported by state media on Sunday.
In a recent speech commemorating the 77th anniversary of the Korean People’s Army, Kim expressed concerns regarding a trilateral security collaboration he views as a strategic maneuver by the U.S. that could resemble a NATO-style military bloc. He described this development as upsetting the military balance on the Korean Peninsula and posing a serious challenge to his country’s security, according to the Korean Central News Agency.
Kim also outlined plans to rapidly strengthen North Korea’s nuclear capabilities, reiterating a steadfast commitment to advancing the nation’s nuclear forces. His remarks come amid a backdrop of stagnated diplomatic engagement with both the United States and South Korea over the past few years, during which he has prioritized expanding and modernizing North Korea’s weapons stockpile. In response, the U.S. and South Korea have intensified their military training exercises, including trilateral drills with Japan, which North Korea has condemned as preparation for invasion.
President Trump, since taking office, has expressed a desire to re-engage with Kim, recalling their previous high-profile meetings in 2018 and 2019 that aimed to resolve the North Korean nuclear challenge. During a recent press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Trump remarked on their rapport and his role in allegedly halting war activities.
In a separate interview, Trump referred to Kim as “a smart guy” and expressed intentions to reach out to him once more. Trump’s engagements with Kim marked the first-ever direct talks between the leaders of the U.S. and North Korea, but such diplomacy ultimately waned after Kim’s proposal to dismantle a key nuclear facility was rejected in exchange for significant easing of sanctions.
Currently, North Korea has not made direct comments regarding Trump’s willingness to initiate contact again. The nation continues its weapons testing and maintains a fierce rhetoric against the U.S. Observers suggest that Kim might be preoccupied with supporting Russia amid the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Experts speculate he could consider diplomatic discussions with Trump again if he feels Russia’s cooperation may wane after the conflict concludes.
In his recent address, Kim reaffirmed North Korea’s solidarity with Russia in its efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and security, accusing the U.S. of being the instigator behind the ongoing turmoil in Ukraine.
In South Korea, there are concerns that Trump may overlook the long-standing objective of achieving complete denuclearization of North Korea for the sake of securing a diplomatic success. However, a joint declaration from Trump and Ishiba confirmed their strong commitment to the complete denuclearization of North Korea. Additionally, they underscored the significance of the trilateral partnership among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea in addressing the challenges posed by North Korea.
