North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has called for a “rapid expansion” of his country’s nuclear arsenal, citing the ongoing U.S.–South Korea annual Ulchi Freedom Shield military exercises as a forceful justification for immediate escalation. Speaking during an inspection of the Choe Hyon destroyer, which is being outfitted with nuclear-capable systems, Kim denounced the drills as deliberate provocations and insisted that the current security environment mandates a swift overhaul of North Korea’s military posture.
According to coverage by KCNA, Kim accused the allies of “muscle-flexing” and warned their intensified military coordination could ignite war. He stated that such external pressure necessitates radical and swift adjustments in both military doctrine and operational practice, including bolstering nuclear forces at unprecedented speed.
The deployment of the Choe Hyon destroyer, capable of carrying nuclear-capable ballistic and cruise missiles, underscores the regime’s push toward immediate military enhancement. KCNA reported Kim’s satisfaction with advances in equipping the navy with high-tech, nuclear-ready assets and signaled a target for completion by October 2026.
These developments occur as Seoul moves to reduce tension through diplomatic outreach; South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has proposed reinstating the 2018 inter-Korean military agreement to ease border volatility. Nonetheless, Pyongyang has rebuffed such overtures, continuing to deepen its strategic alignment with Moscow in the face of these tensions.
The U.S. and South Korea defend their joint exercises featuring 21,000 troops and a mix of live-fire and command post drills as essential for preparedness and deterrence in the face of North Korea’s nuclear threats.
Meanwhile, analysts estimate that North Korea possesses roughly 50 assembled nuclear warheads and has the fissile material for as many as 90, a stockpile that could expand rapidly should Kim’s directive translate into action.
