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North Korean leader Kim Jong Un announced Monday that his country has developed new undisclosed weapons systems and achieved breakthroughs in defense technology, as he pledged to continue building military capabilities against what he described as growing threats from the United States and its allies.
Speaking in remarks broadcast by the state-run Korean Central News Agency, Kim said Pyongyang must "continuously stockpile even more formidable forces capable of repelling all military threats." He accused Washington and its regional partners of destabilizing the Korean Peninsula through "provocative actions that further escalate tensions" while disregarding North Korea's security concerns.
The North Korean leader claimed his country has "acquired new secret weapons and has achieved a significant number of research achievements in defense science," though he provided no details about the nature or capabilities of these alleged systems.
Kim also announced that North Korea had "successfully built a strategic axis for safeguarding maritime sovereignty by producing destroyers capable of performing various maritime military missions," suggesting advances in the country's naval capabilities.
The speech comes amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula and follows a series of weapons tests by North Korea this month. Earlier in January, Pyongyang announced it had completed final ground testing of a solid-fuel engine designed for the Hwasong-20 intercontinental ballistic missile, a weapon analysts believe could potentially reach the continental United States.
Last week, Kim personally oversaw trials of tactical attack drones called Kumsong and an unmanned strategic reconnaissance aircraft. In March 2024, he had observed tests of what North Korea described as AI-powered "suicide drones."
The North Korean leader used Monday's address to reject international calls for nuclear disarmament, reiterating his criticism of "phased denuclearization" proposals and declaring that "we will never give up our nuclear weapons." He emphasized that North Korea's nuclear status is enshrined in "national law."
However, Kim also extended what appeared to be a diplomatic opening, suggesting improved relations with Washington remained possible. He said if the United States abandons what he called a "vain obsession with denuclearization and acknowledges reality," the two countries would have an opportunity to forge ties.
North Korea conducted its first nuclear test in 2006 and has since developed an arsenal that experts estimate includes dozens of warheads. The country has faced multiple rounds of international sanctions over its nuclear and missile programs.
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