Following the launch of joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has issued a directive to expand the nation’s nuclear capabilities. The exercises, which Pyongyang views as a deliberate escalation, are prompting a robust response. The state media, KCNA, disseminated Kim Jong Un’s warning, underscoring North Korea’s commitment to increasing its nuclear strength. These exercises, aimed at refining strategies to counter North Korean nuclear threats, are met with condemnation from Pyongyang, which often conducts weapons tests in retaliation. The exercises, named Ulchi Freedom Shield, are an annual event, lasting 11 days. The scale of these exercises is similar to that of the previous year (2024).
