Kim Jong Un Orders Rapid Expansion of Nuclear Arsenal Amidst Military Exercises

North Korea, one of nine nations possessing nuclear weapons, has announced plans to rapidly expand its nuclear capabilities. The announcement, made by leader Kim Jong Un, comes in response to joint military exercises conducted by the United States and South Korea. Kim Jong Un views these exercises as a clear attempt to provoke war. The warning was issued by North Korea’s state media, KCNA. The US and South Korea have commenced joint military drills, which are reportedly designed to test new strategies for responding to North Korean nuclear threats. Pyongyang typically criticizes these exercises as preparations for an attack, often responding with weapons tests. However, South Korea and the US maintain that the exercises are purely defensive in nature.