Kim Jong Un wants to strengthen his nuclear weapons, which could be deployed if North Korea's fundamental interests are threatened

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced his intention to strengthen and develop his country's nuclear weapons during a speech at a military parade in Pyongyang, official media reported Tuesday.

  

We will continue to take measures to strengthen and develop our nation's nuclear capabilities at an accelerated pace, Kim Jong Un said, as reported by the North Korean news agency KCNA.

 

According to the source, the North Korean leader made a speech at the military parade held on Monday night in Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Korean People's Army.

 

On Monday, Kim Jong Un said that nuclear weapons are a symbol of national power and that they must be diversified. In view of the turbulent political and military environment and various upcoming crises...we will further increase our power at the fastest possible pace.

 

He added that while his country's nuclear weapons are primarily a deterrent, they could be deployed if North Korea's core interests were threatened.

 

North Korea experts expected the parade to be an opportunity to showcase its most sophisticated weapons, in particular hypersonic ballistic missiles and the Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile. This monster missile, capable of carrying several warheads that follow an independent trajectory on re-entry into the atmosphere, was first displayed in October 2020 during a military parade in Pyongyang.

 

KCNA said the Hwasong-17, which North Korea claims to have successfully tested on March 24, was indeed displayed at the parade.